d) Opposed ratification

George Mason, a prominent American statesman, was notable for his opposition to the ratification of the Constitution. A strong advocate for individual rights, Mason was concerned about the absence of a bill of rights in the original document. His stance represented a broader apprehension about the potential for centralized government power to infringe on civil liberties. Mason’s opposition, along with that of other Anti-Federalists, played a significant role in the subsequent adoption of the Bill of Rights, ensuring the protection of fundamental freedoms in the new government structure.