An American Founding Father

John Hancock Facts

Born January 12, 1737–Died October 8, 1793

Raised in Braintree (Quincy) Massachusetts

Graduated Harvard College at the age of 17!

John Hancock’s Childhood

John Hancock was an orphan, and adopted by a wealthy merchant uncle who was childless.

Apprentice to his uncle as a business merchant and in 1760 was sent to England for a business mission.

John Hancock’s Political Career

1766 –Elected to the Boston Assembly

1773 –Delegate to and President to the Congress of Massachusetts

1774 – Elected to the Continental Congress

1775 – Elected President of the Continental Congress

1793 – Governor of Massachusetts

John Hancock’s Famous Signature

John Hancock is the most famous of the founding fathers.

Was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence.

Known for his very large signature on the Declaration of Independence.

John Hancock’s Famous Signature

John Hancock purposely wrote his signature large enough so King George could clearly read his name without his glasses!

“John Hancock” has now become a synonym for the word “signature” or “autograph”.

John Hancock’s Famous Signature

References

http://www.libertyskids.com/arch_who_jhancock.html

http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers hancock.htm

http://blog.hasslberger.com/2011/01 individual_freedom_the_shock_o.html

http://www.revolutionary-war-and-beyond.com/john-hancock-facts.html#ixzz1mlLCOeSl

http://www.revolutionary-war-and-beyond.com/john-hancock-facts.html

http://americanrevunit.blogspot.com/2010_06_01_archive.html

An American Founding Father