Middleton, Arthur (1742–1787), an American patriot and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Middleton was born near Charles Town (now Charleston), South Carolina, and was educated in England. He was a member of the South Carolina assembly, 1764–68 and 1772–74. Middleton served in the South Carolina provincial congresses and on the Council of Safety. He helped prepare the state constitution of 1776, and then was elected to the Continental Congress.