Who was unanimously elected president of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787?

George Washington was unanimously elected president of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787.

The convention met at the Pennsylvania State House, later called Independence Hall, from May 25 to September 17, 1787. Its original assignment was to revise the Articles of Confederation, but delegates instead developed an entirely new system of federal government.

Washington had commanded the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and was widely respected by delegates from different states. His election as presiding officer helped give the proceedings legitimacy, even though he generally did not participate in ordinary debate from the chair.

The convention operated under secrecy so delegates could negotiate and change proposals without immediate public pressure. Washington signed the Constitution on September 17, along with 38 other delegates. He later became the first president under the new Constitution, but his convention role was separate from his later executive office.