Philip Livingston | Merchant & Statesman | Born January 15, 1716 Philip Livingston came from a powerful New York merchant family and used his influence and wealth to support colonial rights. Educated at Yale and immersed in business, he served in the Continental Congress and signed the Declaration despite New York’s initial hesitation. Beyond the signature, Livingston helped shape early New York politics and supported institutions such as the New York Chamber of Commerce and

Benjamin Rush | Revolutionary Physician & Educator | Born January 4, 1746 Dr. Benjamin Rush wasn’t just a signer; he was one of the only physicians on the Committee who signed the Declaration. A gifted doctor, he studied in Europe and brought cutting-edge medical knowledge back to Philadelphia. Rush served as Surgeon General of the Continental Army and later became a leading voice in medical education, public health, and humane psychiatric care. He was also Treasurer of the U