From the NY Times, July 5, 1981 edition on the signers of the Declaration of Independence:
“THE 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence form a fascinating cross section of late 18th-century America. Some were great men; some were not. A few were the best-known leaders in their states; others were in Philadelphia because the really powerful local leaders stayed home to form their state governments.
Several who debated the question of independence never signed the Declaration; a few who did write their names on our proclamation of freedom just happened to be there when the document was presented for signing.”
Read the entire article here: NY Times, Signers of the Declaration