John Rutledge (September 17, 1739 – July 23, 1800) is an American statesman and judge.

He is the first Governor of South Carolina following the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the 31st overall.

He is a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, where he chaird a committee that writes much of what is included in the final version of the United States Constitution, which he also signs.

He servs as an Associate Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, and is the second Chief Justice of the Court from July to December 1795.

He is the elder brother of Edward Rutledge, a signatory of the Declaration of Independence.