Edward Rutledge was the youngest Declaration signer, signing at age 26 during the events remembered by America250.
Rutledge represented South Carolina in the Second Continental Congress. He was born on November 23, 1749, so he was 26 years old when he signed the Declaration in 1776. His age contrasts sharply with Benjamin Franklin, who was 70 and the oldest signer.
Rutledge came from a prominent Charleston family and trained as a lawyer in England. He became active in South Carolina politics and served in Congress during the decisive period when the colonies moved toward independence.
His later career included military service during the Revolutionary War and public office in South Carolina. He became governor of the state in 1798 and died in 1800. Rutledge is sometimes confused with his relative John Rutledge, another South Carolina political figure who was not one of the Declaration's signers.