Who wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights and opposed the ratification of the Constitution?

The Virginia Declaration of Rights was authored by George Mason in 1776. This document laid the groundwork for the Bill of Rights in the United States Constitution, influencing the protection of individual liberties. Mason's strong belief in the protection of natural rights and government accountability is reflected throughout the declaration.

Mason was also a vocal opponent of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. He was concerned that it provided insufficient safeguards for individual rights and feared that it would create a central government that could become tyrannical. Mason's insistence on including a Bill of Rights in the Constitution was pivotal in addressing these concerns and ultimately led to the adoption of the first ten amendments to the Constitution. Therefore, his role in writing the Virginia Declaration of Rights and his opposition to the Constitution due to a demand for individual rights highlight his importance in American history.