The Federalist

One of the bedrocks of democracy, and essential reading for understanding the American Constitution, are these 85 essays, written in haste between October 1787 and May 1788 in the heat of political controversy. At the time, they were published in the newspapers of a few major cities, including New York, as "Federalist Papers" to encourage voters to ratify the proposed Constitution. Although each essay is signed "PUBLIUS," several historians believe that Hamilton wrote the majority of 52, Madison wrote 28, and Jay the remaining 5. Regardless, the influence of these three supporters of the Constitution endures today.