Final answer:
James Wilson and James Madison were key figures in advocating for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution and what would become the 17th Amendment. Wilson used his legal expertise to persuade Pennsylvania to ratify, while Madison drafted amendments ensuring personal rights, resulting in the Bill of Rights.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the push for the ratification of the 17th Amendment, influential figures played a critical role in swaying public opinion and the decisions of state legislatures. One of the key people advocating for the direct election of senators was James Wilson, an esteemed lawyer who used his vast knowledge of legal theory to influence the ratification process. Moreover, individuals like James Madison were instrumental in the overall process of ratifying the Constitution. Madison not only drafted the amendments, which would become the Bill of Rights, but also convinced Congress to send them to the states for ratification. Anti-Federalists, led by figures such as Patrick Henry in Virginia, argued against increasing the powers of the national government, yet ultimately contributed to the founding of the Constitution through their insistence on the addition of a Bill of Rights.