Who was the youngest signer of the engrossed Declaration of Independence?

Edward Rutledge was the youngest signer of the engrossed Declaration of Independence, at age 26.

Rutledge represented South Carolina in the Continental Congress and signed the Declaration with three other South Carolina delegates: Thomas Heyward Jr., Thomas Lynch Jr., and Arthur Middleton. He was born in Charleston in 1749 and trained as a lawyer before entering politics.

Rutledge’s youth did not mean he was politically inexperienced. He served in Congress during the Revolution and later became governor of South Carolina. His career connected the revolutionary generation with the early government of the United States.

The age comparison is often confused with the identity of the youngest delegate at particular congressional sessions. The signing process also unfolded over time: most delegates signed on August 2, 1776, while several others signed later. Benjamin Franklin, by contrast, was the oldest signer, at age 70.