Edward Rutledge was born to an aristocratic family in South Carolina and was educated in law at Oxford. He and his brother John both attended Congress, supporting each other on the floor and in committee. At the age of 27, he left Congress to join the defense of his colony, attaining the rank of Captain. He returned to Congress in 1779 but left again in 1780 to defend Charleston. He was captured and held prisoner until 1781. After his release, he returned to the legislature of his native state until 1796, where he served on numerous committees and was elected Governor in 1789. His health declining, he died in January of 1800 at the age of 50.
