Which 81-year-old Founding Father was the oldest signer of the United States Constitution?

Benjamin Franklin was the oldest signer of the United States Constitution, signing at age 81.

Franklin represented Pennsylvania at the Constitutional Convention and was one of its most experienced statesmen. By 1787, he had been a printer, scientist, diplomat, revolutionary leader, and elder political figure. His presence gave the convention a link to the earlier struggle for independence.

Franklin’s age is sometimes confused with his age when signing the Declaration of Independence. He was 70 in 1776 and 81 when he signed the Constitution eleven years later. Jonathan Dayton, at 26, was the youngest constitutional signer.

On the final day, Franklin reportedly expressed reservations about parts of the Constitution but supported it as the best available settlement. A famous account says he pointed toward the painted sun on George Washington’s chair and remarked that he had wondered whether it was rising or setting; after the convention, he said he knew it was a rising sun.