How many Founding Fathers of the United States were slaveholders?

Of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, 41 owned slaves at some point in their lives. However, this number includes those who inherited slaves, bought them, or received them as gifts. Some of these Founding Fathers, such as Benjamin Franklin, later freed their slaves and became abolitionists.

Of the seven key Founding Fathers (John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Washington), four (Jefferson, Madison, Washington, and Franklin) owned slaves. However, Franklin later freed his slaves and became a leading abolitionist.

So, the answer to your question depends on how you define "Founding Fathers." If you're referring to the signers of the Declaration of Independence, then the answer is 41. If you're referring to the seven key Founding Fathers, then the answer is 4 (but with the caveat that Franklin later freed his slaves and became an abolitionist).