Born in Charlestown, now Charleston, South Carolina. Married Elizabeth Grimke May 1, 1763. They had ten children.

Elected to South Carolina House of Commons and served 1761 to 1776. Member of the Continental Congress in 1774 to 1776 and again 1782 to 1783. Elected Governor of South Carolina and served 1779 to 1782. Elected to South Carolina House of Representatives and served 1781 to 1782 and again 1784 to 1790. Served as Associate Justice of U.S. Supreme Court 1789 to 1791. Appointed Chief Justice of South Carolina Supreme Court and served 1791 to 1795. He was nominated for Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court but Congress refused the confirmation in 1795. He died in Charleston, South Carolina.

Rutledge appears on a mint medal (USM 902) as one of the series for Chief Justices. Design was by Edgar Steever. The medal was first issued in 1978.

bio: ApCAB; BDC; DAB; Drake; NCAB 1; TCBDA; WAB; WWWA-H