Edward Rutledge, Lawyer, Politician, Youngest Signer of the Declaration of Independence

Table of Contents

• Early Life and Education
• American Revolution
• Political Career
• Later Life and Death
• Legacy
• Personal Attributes and Relations

Early Life and Education

• Born on November 23, 1749, in Charleston, South Carolina, into a prosperous family
• Raised in a well-to-do environment, the youngest of Dr. John Rutledge’s seven children
• Embarked on a legal career, moving to London to study law at the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple
• Returned to Charleston in 1772 after being admitted to the English bar, quickly establishing a successful practice

American Revolution

• Appointed as a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1774, representing South Carolina
• At 26, became the youngest signatory of the Declaration of Independence in 1776
• Joined the South Carolina militia and served valiantly as an artillery officer during the war
• Endured capture by the British in 1780 during the Siege of Charleston
• Secured release a year later through a prisoner exchange, resuming his political activities

Political Career

• Became an influential voice in the South Carolina General Assembly, serving multiple terms between 1776-1796
• Played a key role in shaping post-revolutionary policies and state constitution
• Rose to the highest political office in the state, being elected as the Governor of South Carolina in 1798

Later Life and Death

• Critiqued Federalist policies, most notably the Jay Treaty, considering them detrimental to Southern interests
• Expressed fervent support for Thomas Jefferson in the tightly contested 1796 Presidential election
• Passed away unexpectedly on January 23, 1800, during his governorship, leaving a state in mourning

Legacy

• Remembered primarily as the youngest signatory of the Declaration, symbolizing youthful zeal in the Revolutionary cause
• The Rutledge House, his residence in Charleston, stands as a National Historic Landmark, drawing countless visitors
• Inspired future generations in South Carolina and the nation through his steadfast dedication to the ideals of freedom and democracy

Personal Attributes and Relations

• Known for his persuasive oratory skills and principled stances on issues
• Maintained close ties with leading figures of the Revolutionary era, including John Adams and Benjamin Franklin
• Renowned for his commitment to his state, ensuring South Carolina’s interests were consistently represented on the national stage