Edward Rutledge (South Carolina)

1. How well did the character in the film portray the historical figure?

For the most part, he was portrayed well in the film. He was young and charasmatic and was adament that the colonies should explore every opportunity for reconcilliation with Great Britian.

2. What did the film get right? In other words, what was accurate?

The film accurately portrayed his youth and charisma and his weariness to break away from England. He was very young compared to the other members of the Continental Congress and was somewhat overwhelmed with such a monumental decision and that was portrayed well in the film.

3. What was dramatized? Distorted? or Exaggerated?

His brashness and bold defiance of the sepratists was most likely an exaggeration becuase in reality he was very much a proponent of colonial rights and simply wished to explore all options for reconcilliation with England as not to upset the the basic social structure of life in the South.

4. What was the figure's role in signing the Declaration of Independence?

He was the youngest of 56 delegates to sign the Declaration of Independence and was important in leading a successful effort to remove wording in the Declaration that codemned slavery.

5. Anything interesting you found out about the person?

Rutledge was a main character in the Musical play 1776 in which he sings the song "Molasses to Rum" about slavery and the Triangle Trade. He is said to have died from apoplexy (a word referring to extreme rage or excitement) upon reading about the death of George Washington.