Benjamin Franklin was the oldest signer of the Declaration of Independence, at age 70.
Franklin represented Pennsylvania in the Second Continental Congress and served on the Committee of Five that reviewed Jefferson's draft. His scientific reputation, diplomatic experience, and political influence made him one of the most prominent delegates associated with the Declaration.
The oldest-signer distinction refers to the ages of the delegates who signed the engrossed document. Franklin was born in 1706, making him 70 in 1776. Edward Rutledge of South Carolina was the youngest signer, at age 26.
Franklin's signature is one of 56 on the parchment copy. John Hancock's signature is the most visually famous, but Hancock was not the oldest signer. Thomas Jefferson was 33, and Samuel Adams was 53, so neither held Franklin's age distinction.