Born in Annapolis, Maryland. Attended College de St. Omer and College de Louis le Grand in Paris. He graduated in 1757. Married Mary Darnall June 5, 1768. They had two children. In 1765 he took over Carrollton, an estate in Maryland.

Carroll was representative from Maryland to the Continental Congress 1776 to 1778. He signed the Declaration of Independence August 2, 1776, and lived to be the last surviving signer. He signed his name as Charles Carroll of Carrollton so he would not be confused with several others in the colonies with the same name. Elected to Maryland Senate and served 1778 to 1800.

Elected to the United States Senate and served March 4, 1789, to November 20, 1792. He resigned from the U.S. Senate to comply with a Maryland law against holding both positions. Returned to Maryland Senate 1791 to 1801. Served on the original board of directors for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in 1828. He died in Baltimore.

A 52 mm medal was ordered for the Carroll family (Julian PE-6) after the 5

0th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and in Carroll's 90th year. Dies were by Christian Gobrecht. A reproduction of the original medal was authorized in 1976. The dates 1776-1976 appear below the bust. The medal was promoted by the Baltimore Museum of Art.

legal ref: Public Law 94-257; 90 Stat. 302

bio: ApCAB; BDC; DAB; Drake; NCAB 7; TCBDA; WAB; WWWA-H