How old was Benjamin Franklin when he signed the Declaration of Independence?
Asked by: Ms. Lauryn Mertz DDS | Last update: February 8, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (64 votes)
Benjamin Franklin was 70 years old when he signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776, making him the oldest signer, born in 1706, and a significant figure in American history.
What were the ages of the signers of the Declaration of Independence?
And though the average age of the signers of the Declaration of Independence was 44, more than a dozen of them were 35 or younger! “We tend to see them as much older than they were,” said David McCullough in a 2005 speech.
Who was the youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence?
The youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence was Edward Rutledge from South Carolina, who was 26 years old, closely followed by Thomas Lynch Jr., also from South Carolina, who was also 26 and just a few months younger than Rutledge.
How old was Benjamin Franklin when the Constitution was written?
The delegates ranged in age from Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, to Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, who was so infirmed that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair.
How old was Thomas Jefferson when he wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson was 33 years old when he wrote the Declaration of Independence. John Adams was 40 years old when he argued for American independence. James Madison was 36 years old when he was at the Constitutional Convention.
Benjamin Franklin and the Fight for Independence
What is the rarest signature on the Declaration of Independence?
The rarest signature on the Declaration of Independence belongs to Button Gwinnett, a signer from Georgia, due to his relative obscurity, short life (killed in a duel shortly after signing), and a fire that destroyed many of his papers, leaving only about 51 known examples of his signature, making it incredibly valuable to collectors. While Thomas Lynch, Jr. is also considered extremely rare, Gwinnett's signature is generally seen as the most elusive and valuable.
Did Benjamin Franklin have a high IQ?
Ben Franklin dropped out of school at age 10. His IQ was 160. Beethoven was told he would never succeed at writing music. His IQ was 165.
How old was the oldest person who signed the constitution?
The oldest person to sign the Constitution was Benjamin Franklin (81). The youngest was Jonathan Dayton of New Jersey (26).
What did Ben Franklin suffer from?
Benjamin Franklin's medical history shows that he suffered from repeated attacks of gout and a large bladder stone. These conditions caused him considerable pain, markedly decreased his mobility, and likely contributed in indirect ways to his decline and eventual death from a pulmonary disorder.
Who was the wealthiest signer of the Declaration of Independence?
Charles Carroll of Carrollton was a man of superlatives. Out of all the signers of the Declaration of Independence, Carroll was the wealthiest. He was also the longest-lived of all the signers, surviving to the ripe old age of 95.
Which founding father was not born in America?
48 of the 56 signers were born in America. Two were born in England (Button Gwinnett, Robert Morris), two in Ireland (George Taylor, Matthew Thornton), two in Scotland (James Wilson, John Witherspoon), one in Northern Ireland (James Smith), and one in Wales (Francis Lewis).
Which founding father lived the longest?
From 1789 to 1792, he served as Maryland's first U.S. Senator. Devoted to God, family, and country, Charles Carroll lived to the remarkable age of 95, dying on November 14, 1832, as the longest-living and last surviving signer of the Declaration.
How old were all the Founding Fathers in 1776?
In 1776, the ages of key Founding Fathers varied widely, with many surprisingly young, like Alexander Hamilton (21) and James Madison (25), while older figures like Benjamin Franklin (70) and George Washington (44) provided experienced leadership; most Declaration signers were in their 30s and 40s, but some were barely adults, highlighting a mix of youthful energy and seasoned wisdom.
Why did only 39 of the 55 delegates sign?
Only 39 delegates signed the U.S. Constitution because many of the 55 attendees either left early, disagreed with key aspects like the lack of a Bill of Rights (George Mason, Edmund Randolph, Elbridge Gerry), or had health/personal reasons, with some notable absentees like Patrick Henry not even attending the convention at all. The final document created a stronger federal government, which concerned some delegates, leading to their refusal to sign despite compromises, notes Constitution Facts, Wikipedia, National Archives (.gov), ACLU of Pennsylvania, Census.gov, History.com, Tara Ross, Quizlet, The National Constitution Center, USLegal, Inc. https://system.uslegal/com/u-s-constitution/signers/, U.S. Senate (.gov)].
Why was John Hancock's signature so big?
John Hancock signed his name so big on the Declaration of Independence as a bold act of defiance, making it legible for King George III (according to legend) and as the President of Congress, though it's also said he just signed as he always did, but his large signature became a symbol of bravery and defiance against Britain. The popular story is he wanted the King to read it without spectacles, but this is likely a myth; the signature style was consistent with his usual flamboyant writing, and he was making a clear, bold statement of treason, not necessarily for the King's eyes, but for posterity and to show conviction, notes Constituting America.
Who are the 4 fathers of the United States?
Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Madison served as the first four presidents; Adams and Jefferson were the nation's first two vice presidents; Jay was the nation's first chief justice; Hamilton was the first secretary of the treasury; Jefferson was the first secretary of state; and Franklin was America's most senior ...
What do the first 3 words of the Constitution mean?
Written in 1787, ratified in 1788, and in operation since 1789, the United States Constitution is the world's longest surviving written charter of government. Its first three words – “We The People” – affirm that the government of the United States exists to serve its citizens.
Who actually wrote the Constitution?
Because of James Madison's crucial role in crafting much of the Constitution, he is often referred to as the “Father of the Constitution.” His notes of the proceedings, which were held in secret, also have provided valuable insights into the drafting process.
Who has 325 IQ?
Michael Kearney's IQ
Michael Kearney's exceptional intelligence was confirmed when he achieved a reported score of 325 on a Stanford-Binet test at just 6 years old. He completed his college studies at the young age of 10 and by 17, he was already a university lecturer.
What is Benjamin Franklin's 1 hour rule?
Franklin planned and managed his time and activities in a disciplined way. A tool he developed for himself was the five-hour rule. The rule dictates that five hours each week must be spent learning – one hour each day, excepting weekends.
Was Benjamin Franklin a nice person?
Charming, naturally sociable, and witty, Franklin drew people to him wherever he lived. He was dutiful and affectionate toward his family, but it was to close friends that he most often expressed his ardent devotion.
What is the salary of the US president?
The U.S. President's salary is set at $400,000 per year, a rate unchanged since 2001, plus a $50,000 expense account for official duties, with any unused expense funds reverting to the Treasury. This compensation package includes substantial perks and benefits, though some presidents, like Donald Trump and John F. Kennedy, have chosen to donate their salary.
Which founding father didn't become president?
Many influential Founding Fathers never became President, with prominent examples including Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams, and Patrick Henry, all of whom played crucial roles in the nation's founding but never held the presidency due to various reasons, such as focusing on other vital government roles like Treasury Secretary (Hamilton) or diplomatic service (Franklin).
How educated were the Founding Fathers?
John Adams was influenced by the Roman historian Sallust. Thomas Jefferson had an intensive classical education at an academy run by the Rev. James Maury, as well as at the College of William and Mary. George Washington had no college education but admired classical thinkers such as Cicero.