Amid all the counting, re-counting, legal wrangling and bitter confusion that’s become the American presidential election – it seems it may be this Carlow man who’s at the source of all this chaos!

Pierce Butler was born in Ballintemple in 1744 and is credited with being the creator of the electoral college system used for the election of American presidents, and is a signatory of the American constitution!

In light of this year’s chaotic American election, Butler’s input into the American constitution is now up against the rigours of public scrutiny for the first time in over 200 years.

What few political analysts realise, however, is that it’s this Carlow man that the finger should be pointed at!

In devising the voting system, Pierce is believed to have insisted on the safeguard of the electoral colleges’ system, which would prevent a few large states from dictating the course of the election.

Son of Sir Richard Butler, a member of parliament, Pierce Butler pursued a military career and at just 14 years went to America as an army officer.

After the revolution, Pierce Butler was one of the architects of the American Constitution, while he also represented South Carolina at the constitutional convention which elected George Washington as the first president of the United States.

Pierce Butler’s life as solider, politician and statesman is featured in the book Carlow’s International Achievers, published last year by Jimmy O’Toole.

Rumours that both Gore and Bush are now anxious for a copy could not be confirmed ! !