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'''Charles Cotesworth Pinckney''' (b. February 25, 1746; d. August 16, 1825) was a lawyer and politician from [[South Carolina]].  He attended the Federal [[Constitutional Convention]] and signed the [[United States Constitution]].

'''Charles Cotesworth Pinckney''' (February 25, 1746 – August 16, 1825) was a lawyer and politician from [[South Carolina]].  He attended the Federal [[Constitutional Convention]] and signed the [[United States Constitution]].

==Early Life==

==Early life==

Charles was born in Charleston, South Carolina, on February 25, 1746. His father was Charles Pinckney, a planter and aristocrat who would later serve as the chief justice of the Province of South Carolina; his mother was Eliza Lucas, a famous agriculturalist known for the cultivation of indigo.   

Charles was born in Charleston, South Carolina, on February 25, 1746. His father was Charles Pinckney, a planter and aristocrat who would later serve as the chief justice of the Province of South Carolina; his mother was Eliza Lucas, a famous agriculturalist known for the cultivation of indigo.   

In 1753 the family moved to London, where Pinckney's father served as agent for the colony of South Carolina. Charles and his brother Thomas enrolled in the famous Westminster preparatory school, and remained in England to complete their education when the family returned to America in 1758. Thomas graduated from Christ Church College at Oxford, and subsequently law at London's Middle Temple. After being admitted to the bar in 1769, Charles continued his education, studying botany and chemistry; he was also briefly enrolled in the French military academy at Caen. <ref>http://www.history.army.mil/books/RevWar/ss/pinckneycc.htm</ref>

In 1753 the family moved to London, where Pinckney's father served as agent for the colony of South Carolina. Charles and his brother Thomas enrolled in the famous Westminster preparatory school, and remained in England to complete their education when the family returned to America in 1758. Thomas graduated from Christ Church College at Oxford, and subsequently law at London's Middle Temple. After being admitted to the bar in 1769, Charles continued his education, studying botany and chemistry; he was also briefly enrolled in the French military academy at Caen.<ref>http://www.history.army.mil/books/RevWar/ss/pinckneycc.htm</ref>

==Military Career==

==Military career==

Unwilling to sit passively by and watch others fight for his liberty, Pinckney volunteered for service in the Continental Army, where he raised and led the Grenadiers of the 1st South Carolina Regiment. He participated in the successful defense of Charleston in June 1776; later that year, he was promoted to Colonel.

Unwilling to sit passively by and watch others fight for his liberty, Pinckney volunteered for service in the Continental Army, where he raised and led the Grenadiers of the 1st South Carolina Regiment. He participated in the successful defense of Charleston in June 1776; later that year, he was promoted to Colonel.

In 1780, Pinckney participated in the [siege of Charleston].  The defenders were unable to hold the city, and on May 12, 1780, Major General [[Benjamin Lincoln]] Major General Lincoln surrendered to the British.  Pinckney became a prisoner of war, along with the other officers. As a prisoner of war, he played a key role in maintaining the loyalty of the captured troops.  When his captors attempted to subvert Pinckney himself, he said: "If I had a vein that did not beat with the love of my Country, I myself would open it. If I had a drop of blood that could flow dishonourable, I myself would let it out."  

In 1780, Pinckney participated in the [siege of Charleston].  The defenders were unable to hold the city, and on May 12, 1780, Major General [[Benjamin Lincoln]] Major General Lincoln surrendered to the British.  Pinckney became a prisoner of war, along with the other officers. As a prisoner of war, he played a key role in maintaining the loyalty of the captured troops.  When his captors attempted to subvert Pinckney himself, he said: "If I had a vein that did not beat with the love of my Country, I myself would open it. If I had a drop of blood that could flow dishonourable, I myself would let it out."  

Pinckney was held until 1782, when he was freed as part of a general exchange of prisoners. He continued to serve until the southern regiments were disbanded, receiving a brevet promotion to brigadier general shortly before this occurred. <ref>http://www.history.army.mil/books/RevWar/ss/pinckneycc.htm</ref>

Pinckney was held until 1782, when he was freed as part of a general exchange of prisoners. He continued to serve until the southern regiments were disbanded, receiving a brevet promotion to brigadier general shortly before this occurred.<ref>http://www.history.army.mil/books/RevWar/ss/pinckneycc.htm</ref>

==Constitutional Convention==

==Constitutional Convention==

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[[Category:Founding Fathers]]

[[Category:Founding Fathers]]

[[Category:American Revolution]]

[[Category:American Revolution]]

[[Category:Failed Presidential Candidates]]

[[Category:Failed Presidential Candidates]]