The Youngest and Oldest Signers of the Declaration of Independence
The youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence was Edward Rutledge, age 26, of Southern Carolina. He argued for the removal of Jefferson’s condemnation of slavery. Although initially opposed to independence, he signed the Declaration for the purpose of unanimity.
The oldest signer was Benjamin Franklin, age 70, At the signing, Franklin observed "We must all hang together, or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately."