It was said that “a good hand was the sign of a good man”. Hancock became the first representative to sign the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, a document which maintained that the thirteen American states were free of British rule. Learn more about the world with our collection of regional and country maps. Learn more about the mythic conflict between the Argives and the Trojans. John Hancock - John Hancock was President of Congress during the debate about the Declaration of Independence and during its signing. John Hancock lived between the year 1737 and 1793. FEN Learning is part of Sandbox Networks, a digital learning company that operates education services and products for the 21st century. A Harvard graduate, Hancock was a prosperous Boston businessman who nonetheless favored American independence from Great Britain. (Hence, "John Hancock" became a slang term for any signature.) He was probably the first person to vote for independence on July 2, 1776, and the first to sign his name to the Declaration after John Hancock. Top Ten Closest U.S. Presidential Elections, State Abbreviations and State Postal Codes, This List of Favorite Islands will Make You Remember Why You Loved Poptropica So Much. A signature. Infoplease is a reference and learning site, combining the contents of an encyclopedia, a dictionary, an atlas and several almanacs loaded with facts. He is primarily remembered by Americans for his large, flamboyant signature on the Declaration, so much so that John Hancock became, in the … John Hancock's flamboyant signature on the Declaration of Independence made him an American legend. Among some of the more well known facts about the people who signed the Declaration of Independence are that John Hancock’s signature was the largest, or that several future Presidents (John Adams and Thomas Jefferson to be exact) signed the Declaration. Copyright © 1998-2018 by Who2?, LLC. He wrote his name at the center of the page in extra-large script. Referring to a bounty the British had put on the heads of revolutionaries, he remarked, "The British ministry can read that name without spectacles; let them double their reward." Hancock was later elected the first governor of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, serving in that position from 1780-85 and from 1787 until his death in 1793. As such, Hancock was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence in July of 1776. Brush up on your geography and finally learn what countries are in Eastern Europe with our maps. This makes the box needed to enclose the signature 6.1 square inches… He was one of the wealthiest men in the thirteen colonies and served as Governor of Massachusetts for many years. Not sure about the geography of the middle east? Learn about one of the world's oldest and most popular religions. Check our encyclopedia for a gloss on thousands of topics from biographies to the table of elements. Need a reference? His signature is the first and largest on the Declaration. The Artist — Todd Gipstein Todd Gipstein's photography career has spanned over four decades. John Hancock's signature is the biggest and he was also the first to sign the Declaration of Independence. William Whipple - William Whipple was a former sea captain who became a … The Artist — Todd Gipstein Todd Gipstein's photography career has spanned over four decades. Our editors update and regularly refine this enormous body of information to bring you reliable information. John Hancock III, whose signature is probably the most famous on the Declaration due to its size, (January 23, 1737 – October 8, 1793 ) was born in Braintree, Ma., in an area that is now in the city of Quincy. Infoplease knows the value of having sources you can trust. The colonial With the war underway, Hancock made his way to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia with the other Massachusetts delegates. American Revolution leader John Hancock (1737-1793) was a signer of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and a governor of Massachusetts. John Hancock: Life and Career. There were 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence. He became the first Governor of New Hampshire. His parents were John Hancock Jr., a soldier and … A close view of John Hancock's signature on a reproduction of the Declaration of Independence. A close view of John Hancock's signature on a reproduction of the Declaration of Independence. And then, in … We've got you covered with our map collection. And sure enough, there he was in Independence Hall in 1776, signing that Declaration, below and to the left of John Hancock’s now-famous penmanship. Derives from John Hancock's signature, which was written in large letters, on the Declaration of Independence. Not surprisingly the National Handwriting Day is celebrated on January 23rd which is also John Hancock’s birthday. The Founding Father with the giant signature. On May 24, 1775, he was unanimously elected President of the Continental Congress, succeeding Peyton Randolph after Henry Middletondeclined the nomination. His wealth and social standing inspired the confidence of … He was experienced, having often presided over legislative bodies and town meetings in Massachusetts. John Hancock's flamboyant signature on the Declaration of Independence made him an American legend. By my measurements, Hancock’s signature comes in at 1.3 inches tall and 4.7 inches wide. Hancock is buried in the Old Granary Burying Ground in Boston, Massachusetts… The John Hancock insurance company is, indeed, named for Hancock. Here are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about. All rights reserved. A Harvard graduate, Hancock was a prosperous Boston businessman who nonetheless favored American independence from Great Britain. Though his signature was the first and the most significant, there were other fifty six signatories to the Declaration of Independence, among them being John Adams and Thomas Jefferson who later were presidents of the United States of America. Symbolically the most famous signature in American history is linked with the Declaration of Independence, the most cherished symbol of liberty. Infoplease is part of the FEN Learning family of educational and reference sites for parents, teachers and students. Hancock was president of Congress when the Declaration of Independence was adopted and signed. Hancock was a good choice for president for several reasons. He became a Massachusetts representative to the Continental Congress, and was elected president of the Continental Congress in 1775. Apparently he did it big so the king could read it without his glasses.