DOI Signers

The Declaration of Independence was signed by 56 men who represented the 13 American colonies and sought independence from British rule. Each signer made a significant contribution, often risking their lives, fortunes, and personal safety for the cause of liberty. Below is a brief biography of each of these founding figures.

1. John Adams (Massachusetts)

• A lawyer, diplomat, and the second President of the United States, Adams was a key advocate for independence and later served as a prominent American diplomat and statesman.

2. Samuel Adams (Massachusetts)

• Cousin to John Adams and a staunch supporter of independence, Samuel Adams was a leader of the Sons of Liberty and a vital organizer in the early revolution, including the Boston Tea Party.

3. Josiah Bartlett (New Hampshire)

• A physician and politician, Bartlett was a leading advocate for independence in New Hampshire and later became Chief Justice of New Hampshire and the state's Governor.

4. Carter Braxton (Virginia)

• A wealthy planter and politician, Braxton initially opposed independence but later supported it, serving in various political roles in Virginia.

5. Charles Carroll (Maryland)

• The only Catholic signer, Carroll was a wealthy planter who supported religious tolerance and later served as Maryland’s delegate to the Continental Congress.

6. Samuel Chase (Maryland)

• A lawyer and political leader known for his fiery support of independence, Chase later became an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

7. Abraham Clark (New Jersey)

• A surveyor and lawyer, Clark was known for his strong support of the common man and his later work on fiscal and political reforms in New Jersey.

8. George Clymer (Pennsylvania)

• A merchant and political leader, Clymer was active in the Revolutionary War, helping to fund the army, and later served in Congress.

9. William Ellery (Rhode Island)

• A judge and member of the Continental Congress, Ellery was known for his firm support of independence and later worked to end the slave trade in Rhode Island.

10. William Floyd (New York)

• A farmer and politician, Floyd served as a Continental Army officer and was one of New York’s earliest supporters of independence.

11. Benjamin Franklin (Pennsylvania)

• A polymath, inventor, and diplomat, Franklin was instrumental in securing French support for the Revolution and is one of the most celebrated American Founding Fathers.

12. Elbridge Gerry (Massachusetts)

• Known for his involvement in political reforms, Gerry later served as Vice President of the United States and gave his name to "gerrymandering" due to his controversial redistricting practices in Massachusetts.

13. Button Gwinnett (Georgia)

• An English-born politician, Gwinnett briefly served as Georgia's provisional president and was a leading figure in Georgia’s early state politics.

14. Lyman Hall (Georgia)

• A physician and clergyman, Hall represented Georgia and later served as Governor, focusing on rebuilding the state after the war.

15. John Hancock (Massachusetts)

• A wealthy merchant and President of the Continental Congress, Hancock was the first to sign the Declaration, with a bold signature that became iconic.

16. Benjamin Harrison (Virginia)

• A prominent politician and planter, Harrison served as Speaker of the Virginia House and is an ancestor of two U.S. Presidents, William Henry Harrison and Benjamin Harrison.

17. John Hart (New Jersey)

• A farmer and landowner, Hart was known for his support of independence and his service in New Jersey’s government during the war.

18. Joseph Hewes (North Carolina)

• A merchant and supporter of the Revolution, Hewes contributed significantly to the development of the Continental Navy.

19. Thomas Heyward Jr. (South Carolina)

• A lawyer and planter, Heyward served as a judge and was captured by the British during the war.

20. William Hooper (North Carolina)

• Known as the "Prophet of Independence," Hooper was a lawyer who initially sought reconciliation but later supported the move for independence.

21. Stephen Hopkins (Rhode Island)

• Governor of Rhode Island and an early advocate for independence, Hopkins signed despite a debilitating tremor in his hand.

22. Francis Hopkinson (New Jersey)

• A writer, composer, and statesman, Hopkinson is known for his contributions to the design of the American flag and other symbols.

23. Samuel Huntington (Connecticut)

• A judge and later President of the Continental Congress, Huntington served as Governor of Connecticut after the war.

24. Thomas Jefferson (Virginia)

• Principal author of the Declaration and later the third President, Jefferson was a key figure in the founding of the United States and an advocate for religious and individual liberty.

25. Francis Lightfoot Lee (Virginia)

• Brother of Richard Henry Lee, he was known for his political service and support of independence.

26. Richard Henry Lee (Virginia)

• An outspoken advocate for independence, Lee proposed the resolution that led to the Declaration and served in both Continental and state-level government roles.

27. Francis Lewis (New York)

• A merchant and politician, Lewis's home was destroyed, and his wife was captured by the British due to his support of the Revolution.

28. Philip Livingston (New York)

• A wealthy merchant and philanthropist, Livingston sacrificed much of his fortune to support the revolutionary cause.

29. Thomas Lynch Jr. (South Carolina)

• A young lawyer, Lynch was one of the youngest signers but became ill and died shortly after signing the Declaration.

30. Thomas McKean (Delaware)

• A prominent lawyer and politician, McKean served as President of Delaware and Chief Justice of Pennsylvania.

31. Arthur Middleton (South Carolina)

• A planter and politician, Middleton was known for his fervent patriotism and was captured by the British during the war.

32. Lewis Morris (New York)

• A landowner and politician, Morris’s property was ravaged during the war, but he continued to support independence.

33. Robert Morris (Pennsylvania)

• Known as the "Financier of the Revolution," Morris played a crucial role in funding the war effort and later signed the Constitution.

34. John Morton (Pennsylvania)

• A farmer and surveyor, Morton was pivotal in Pennsylvania’s decision to support independence and helped swing the vote in its favor.

35. Thomas Nelson Jr. (Virginia)

• A politician and militia leader, Nelson used his personal wealth to finance troops and artillery for the revolutionary cause.

36. William Paca (Maryland)

• A lawyer and judge, Paca played a significant role in Maryland’s support of independence and later became Governor.

37. Robert Treat Paine (Massachusetts)

• A lawyer and delegate from Massachusetts, Paine later served as the state’s Attorney General.

38. John Penn (North Carolina)

• A lawyer and patriot, Penn helped manage North Carolina’s support for the Revolution and later served on the state’s Board of War.

39. George Read (Delaware)

• A lawyer and moderate delegate, Read initially opposed independence but eventually supported it and later signed the U.S. Constitution.

40. Caesar Rodney (Delaware)

• A planter and soldier, Rodney famously rode overnight to break Delaware’s tie in favor of independence, despite suffering from cancer.

41. George Ross (Pennsylvania)

• A lawyer and delegate, Ross was known for his legal expertise and also had connections to Betsy Ross, credited with making the first American flag.

42. Benjamin Rush (Pennsylvania)

• A physician and social reformer, Rush was a passionate supporter of independence and contributed greatly to early American medicine.

43. Edward Rutledge (South Carolina)

• The youngest signer, Rutledge was a lawyer who later served as South Carolina’s Governor.

44. Roger Sherman (Connecticut)

• The only person to sign all four major American documents, Sherman was an influential delegate known for his clear vision and integrity.

45. James Smith (Pennsylvania)

• An Irish immigrant, Smith was a lawyer and militia leader who played a prominent role in Pennsylvania’s early government.

46. Richard Stockton (New Jersey)

• A lawyer and jurist, Stockton suffered greatly for his patriotism, facing capture and mistreatment by the British.

47. Thomas Stone (Maryland)

• A lawyer and politician, Stone advocated for independence and worked to support Maryland’s role in the Revolution.

48. George Taylor (Pennsylvania)

• An ironmaster, Taylor was instrumental in supplying arms to the Continental Army and took an active role in Pennsylvania politics.

49. Matthew Thornton (New Hampshire)

• A physician and former militia leader, Thornton helped secure New Hampshire’s support for independence.

50. George Walton (Georgia)

• A lawyer, soldier, and statesman, Walton later served as Governor of Georgia and as a U.S. Senator.

51. William Whipple (New Hampshire)

• A ship captain and merchant, Whipple also served as a Continental Army general during the war.

52. William Williams (Connecticut)

• A merchant and local politician, Williams helped secure Connecticut’s support for independence and contributed financially to the war effort.

53. James Wilson (Pennsylvania)

• A lawyer and one of the key legal minds of his time, Wilson later became one of the first justices of the U.S. Supreme Court.

54. John Witherspoon (New Jersey)

• A Presbyterian minister and president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton), Witherspoon was a prominent advocate for independence and an influential educator.

55. Oliver Wolcott (Connecticut)

• A soldier, judge, and politician, Wolcott served as Governor of Connecticut and led efforts for Connecticut’s support of the war.

56. George Wythe (Virginia)

• A respected jurist and educator, Wythe mentored Thomas Jefferson and became one of America’s most influential legal minds.

These men collectively represented the spirit of defiance and resilience that defined the American Revolution, each contributing uniquely to the founding of a new nation. Their sacrifices and vision set the foundations for the United States, enshrining values of liberty, justice, and independence that continue to resonate to this day.