Charles Cotesworth Pinckney was the cousin of the younger Charles Pinckney, who was also a Framer of the Constitution from South Carolina.
Charles Cotesworth Pinckney was educated in England, where his father was representing South Carolina.
In 1769, he returned home to practice law.
Pinckney served in the military during the Revolution and was held as a prisoner for two years.
After the war, he practiced law and served in the South Carolina legislature.
Pinckney attended every session of the Philadelphia Convention, arguing for a strong central government.
He was an important delegate who contributed to compromises on troublesome issues.
He worked for ratification in South Carolina.
Pinckney was a Federalist who ran for vice president once and president twice, losing all three times.
He continued to practice law and serve in the South Carolina legislature.
