2nd U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice, U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice, 31st Governor of South Carolina, Member of Continental Congress, Signer of the U.S. Constitution. After studying law in England, he returned to his hometown of Charleston, South Carolina where he not only practiced law but expanded his family's successful agricultural business. In 1761, his political career began when he was elected to a seat in the provincial assembly. While he supported self government for the colonies, he pleaded for restraint in breaking relationships off with England. He continued that moderate stance when sent to the First Continental Congress in 1774. The following year, he served in the Second Continental Congress before returning to South Carolina to help reorganize its government and write a state constitution. In 1779, he was elected governor. During his three year term, he dealt with the British invasion and the Siege of Charleston. After escaping to North Carolina, he enlisted the aide of General Nathanael Greene and in 1781, he returned to South Carolina and reestablished the government. The following year, he resigned his seat. After the Revolutionary War, the former governor was returned to the Continental Congress serving from 1782 to 1783 before serving in the state legislature from 1784 to 1790. As a delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia he used his powers of persuasion to protect southern interests. He was a powerful member serving as chairman of the Committee of Detail, attending every session and speaking often. In 1789, he was appointed by President George Washington , as an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. He resigned in 1791 and returned to South Carolina to become Chief Justice on the state Supreme Court. In 1795, Washington appointed the jurist to return to the US Supreme Court this time as Chief Justice. Rutledge presided over one term but the Senate refused to confirm his appointment so he returned to Charleston where he died five years later.