Rutledge, Edward, 1749-1800
Name Entries
person
Rutledge, Edward, 1749-1800
Computed Name Heading
Name Components
Surname :
Rutledge
Forename :
Edward
Date :
1749-1800
eng
Latn
authorizedForm
rda
Genders
Male
Exist Dates
Biographical History
Edward Rutledge (November 23, 1749 – January 23, 1800) was an American Founding Father and politician who signed the Continental Association and was the youngest signatory of the United States Declaration of Independence. He later served as the 39th Governor of South Carolina from December 1798 until his death.
Born in Charleston, South Carolina, Rutledge was educated in law at Oxford and studied for and was admitted to the English Bar. Returning to Charleston, he had a successful law practice with his partner, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney and became a leading citizen of Charleston. During the American Revolution Rutledge served along with his brother John representing South Carolina in the Continental Congress (1774-1776). He worked to have African Americans expelled from the Continental Army. Although a firm supporter of colonial rights, he (as a delegate) was instructed initially to oppose Lee's Resolution of independence; South Carolina's leaders were unsure that the time was "ripe." At age 26 he was the youngest delegate to sign the Declaration of Independence.
Rutledge returned home in November 1776 to take a seat in the General Assembly. He served as a captain of artillery in the South Carolina militia, and fought at the Battle of Beaufort in 1779. In May 1780, Rutledge was captured along with his co-signers of the Declaration of Independence, Arthur Middleton and Thomas Heyward during the siege of Charleston. They were released during a prisoner exchange in July 1781. After his release he returned to the General Assembly, where he served until 1796. Rutledge then served in the state senate for two years, until being elected governor in 1798. While attending an important meeting in Columbia, had to be sent home because of his gout. He died in Charleston and was buried in Charleston's Saint Philip's Episcopal Church Cemetery.
eng
Latn
External Related CPF
https://viaf.org/viaf/22953792
https://www.worldcat.org/identities/lccn-n85137031
https://id.loc.gov/authorities/n85137031
https://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q878666
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Languages Used
eng
Latn
Subjects
Slavery
Actions and defenses
American loyalists
Attachment and garnishment
Confiscations
Constitutional convention
Constitutional history
Cottonseed oil
Legal documents
Estates, (Law)
Fortification
Gentry
Governor
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Money
Prisoners of war
Probate law and practice
Street lighting
Upper class
Women
Nationalities
Americans
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Occupations
Army officers
Delegates, U.S. Continental Congress
Governors
Lawyers
Military officers
Planter
Politicians
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London
ENG, GB
AssociatedPlace
Residence
Charleston
SC, US
AssociatedPlace
Death
Charleston
SC, US
AssociatedPlace
Birth
Convention Declarations
<conventionDeclaration><citation>VIAF</citation></conventionDeclaration>