An entertaining and essential collection of stories about the surprising and strange fates of the fifty-six Founding Fathers who signed the Declaration of Independence. In the summer of 1776, a group of 56 men risked their lives and livelihood to defy King George III and sign the Declaration of Independence--yet how many of them do we remember? Signing Their Lives Away introduces readers to the eclectic group of statesmen, soldiers, slaveholders, and scoundrels who signed this historic document--and the many strange fates that awaited them. To wit: - The Signer Who Was Poisoned By His Nephew - The Signer Who Was Killed In a Duel - The Signer Who Went to Prison - The Signer Who Was Lost at Sea - The Signer Who Achieved Fame as a Brewer Complete with portraits of every signatory, Signing Their Lives Away provides an entertaining and enlightening narrative for students, history buffs, politicos, and Hamilton fans alike.