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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 name=military>[http://www.history.army.mil/books/RevWar/ss/pinckneycc.htm CHARLES COTESWORTH PINCKNEY]</ref>

==Military career==

==Military career==

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 name=military />

==Constitutional Convention==

==Constitutional Convention==

Following the [[Revolutionary War]], Pinckney was gravely concerned by the disunity and complacency he saw among the states.  He became an outspoken advocate of the need for a strong political, economic, and military union between the several states;  as a result, South Carolina chose him to represent the state at the Constitutional Convention that met in Philadelphia in 1787. Pinckney argued both for a strong federal government and equally strong safeguards against tyranny.

Following the [[Revolutionary War]], Pinckney was gravely concerned by the disunity and complacency he saw among the states.  He became an outspoken advocate of the need for a strong political, economic, and military union between the several states;  as a result, South Carolina chose him to represent the state at the Constitutional Convention that met in Philadelphia in 1787. Pinckney argued both for a strong federal government and equally strong safeguards against tyranny.

Other members of the South Carolina delegation to the Convention were [[Governor Charles Pinckney|Charles Pinckney]], [[John Rutledge]], and [[Pierce Butler (Founding Father)|Pierce Butler]].

Other members of the South Carolina delegation to the Convention were [[John Rutledge]], [[Pierce Butler (Founding Father)|Pierce Butler]], and his cousin<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=ikgTAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA158 The Making of South Carolina]</ref> [[Governor Charles Pinckney|Charles Pinckney]].

==Later Political Service==

==Later Political Service==

   

   

==References==

==References==

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