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Birth: June 26, 1742
Death: January 1, 1787 (age 44)
Colony: South Carolina
Occupation: Lawyer, Politician, Plantation Owner, Soldier
Significance: Signed The Declaration of Independence (at the age of 34)
Arthur Middleton was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Born in Charleston, South Carolina to a family of great financial means, Middleton was sent to Britain as a child to receive the best possible education. Middleton traveled extensively throughout Europe and became a lawyer, returning to South Carolina in 1764. Middleton was a Patriot, and he was the leader of the American Party in Carolina and served as a member of the Council of Safety.
In 1776, Middleton was elected to succeed his father and served in the Second Continental Congress. Middleton voted for Independence, and he signed The Declaration of Independence. After signing The Declaration of Independence on August 2, 1776, Middleton traveled back to South Carolina where he attempted to defend Charleston from the British attack, but when the city fell in 1780, Middleton was captured and became a prisoner of war.
After being released in 1781, Middleton returned to South Carolina to manage his family's plantation before dying in 1787.
Arthur Middleton in Philadelphia
Middleton arrived in Philadelphia as a Delegate to the Second Continental Congress in 1776. While serving as a member of the Second Continental Congress Middleton worked at Independence Hall, and he signed The Declaration of Independence. A plaque commemorating Middleton for signing The Declaration of Independence can be found on Signers' Walk on the 600 block of Chestnut Street (between 5th and 6th Streets).
