James Wilson (1742-1798) was a Scottish-born American statesman, lawyer, and Founding Father. Born in Scotland on September 14, 1742 and emigrating to the American colonies in 1765, he became a leading legal thinker and a strong advocate for independence. Wilson signed both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, playing a major role in drafting the latter and shaping the structure of the federal government. He served as one of the original associate justices on the U.S. Supreme Court from 1789 to 1798. Despite his political achievements, Wilson faced financial troubles later in life and died in relative obscurity.