According to legend, John Hancock was the first to sign the
Declaration of Independence. He purposefully signed it directly beneath the words of
Thomas Jefferson, boldly and large. It is the largest signature on the document. It is said that he wanted to insure the King of England himself would not need spectacles in order to see Hancock's name. He lived from Jan. 23rd,
1737 to Oct. 8th,
1793.
Hancock was acting President of the Continental Congress. He was born in Quincy, Massachusets to a clergyman. He was educated in Harvard, studied business under the tutelage of his uncle, and was the most successful businessman in New England prior to the Revolutionary War. Despite the attempts of Britain's customs department to ruin his success before during and after the Boston Massacre, Hancock fought charges that were set against him. However, the continuing barrage of accusations and litigation by Great Britain weakened his financial situation and also his liberty in other ways. Samuel Adams convinced him that the answer was to assist politically and militarily in making the colonies free. He became a key leader in the revolution, and an outspoken antagonist to the british government. In 1775, the ride of Paul Revere warned Hancock and Adams of the battles of Lexington and Concord in time for them to escape alive.
Elected to the Second Continental Congress, he was chosen president in 1776, and it was then that he signed the Declaration. He resigned a year later however, because his ego got the better of him. He was disappointed that he was not chosen to be Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. However he continued to be active in Massachusets politics until 1785.
Hancock was a vain, ambitious, flamboyant and conceited man who also had powerful financial connections, amazing charisma and a special way with people as a public orator. Adams used both Hancock's strengths and weaknesses to his own advantage, calling him an "essential character" during the Revolutionary War. Hancock generally focused his actions on assisting the people of his constituency in Massachusets, and was a true Statesman in Congress. Still, he was also a true patriot, and his efforts and words were key in ratifying the U.S. Constitution and making America free.