George Walton

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George Walton (1741–February 2, 1804) signed the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of Georgia.

George Walton was born in Virginia. His parents died when he was a child, resulting in his adoption by an uncle with whom he entered apprenticeship as a carpenter. In 1769 he moved to Savannah, Georgia to study law, and was admitted to the bar in 1774. He became an advocate of the patriot cause and was elected Secretary of the Georgia provincial Congress, and became president of the Council of Safety. He was elected to the Continental Congress. He was commissioned a Colonel of the First Regiment of the Georgia Militia. He was injured in the Battle of Savannah and taken prisoner. He was freed through a prisoner exchange in 1779 and elected Governor of Georgia, but held the office only two months. He was a political ally of General Lachlan McIntosh and a foe of Button Gwinnett. He and Gwinnett's political battles resulted in his expulsion from office and indictment for various criminal activities. He returned to Congress in 1780-1781.

John Trumbull's famous painting is usually incorrectly identified as a depiction of the signing of the Declaration. What the painting actually depicts is the five-man drafting committee presenting their work to the Congress. Trumbull's painting can also be found on the back of the U.S. $2 bill.http://www.americanrevolution.org/deckey.html

He was censured for his role in a duel which resulted in Button Gwinnett's death. He became Chief Justice of Georgia, 1783-89, Governor of Georgia in 1789, and U.S. Senator in 1795.

He died in Augusta, Georgia. Walton County, east of Atlanta, is named for him.

There are also at least two schools that bear his name. George Walton Comprehensive High School is a highly-regarded public school near Marietta, Georgia. George Walton Academy is a private school in Monroe, Georgia, the county seat of Walton County.