Born in 1721 in Massachusetts, Roger Sherman spent most of his boyhood helping his father with farming and shoe-making.
However, he read in whatever spare time he could find.
In 1743, he moved to Connecticut, purchasing a store and winning a variety of local political offices.
Although Sherman had not formally studied the law, he became a lawyer.
He had a distinguished career, serving in the state legislature and working as a judge.
Although he gave up the practice of law in 1761, he continued his political career, serving in the Continental Congress.
Sherman was one of the members of the committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation.
He attended nearly every session of the Philadelphia Convention and was an important contributor to the Great Compromise.
He also worked hard to get Connecticut to ratify the Constitution.
Sherman later served as a member of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
