Edward Rutledge of South Carolina was the youngest signer of the United States Declaration of Independence.
Rutledge was 26 years old when he signed the document. He represented South Carolina in the Continental Congress and had studied law in London before returning to Charleston. His older brother John Rutledge was also a prominent South Carolina politician and revolutionary figure.
Edward Rutledge initially considered independence premature and worked within the South Carolina delegation during the debate over Richard Henry Lee’s resolution. He ultimately signed the Declaration and later served in South Carolina’s government, including as governor. His distinction is based on age among the signers, not on being the youngest delegate to attend every stage of the congressional debate.