Francis Hopkinson - Former United States District Judge, Life Achievements and Childhood
Francis Hopkinson's Personal Details
Francis Hopkinson was a delegate from New Jersey who was one of the signers of the U.S
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | September 21, 1737 |
| Died on | May 9, 1791 |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous | University Of Pennsylvania, Leaders, Political Leaders, Former United States District Judge |
| Spouses | Ann Borden |
| Known as | Francis Hopkinson |
| Childrens | Joseph Hopkinson |
| Universities |
|
| Notable Alumnis |
|
| Birth Place | Philadelphia |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | Thomas Hopkinson |
| Mother | Mary Johnson |
| Sun Sign | Virgo |
| Born in | Philadelphia |
| Famous as | Former United States District Judge |
| Died at Age | 53 |
Francis Hopkinson's photo
Who is Francis Hopkinson?
Francis Hopkinson was one of the 56 signers of the U.S. Declaration of Independence and is also credited to have designed the first American flag. He was a highly educated man who had the honour of being the first Graduate of the College of Philadelphia. He went on to earn his master’s degree and completed his Ph.D. In spite of his intelligence, he was unable to do well in his law practice and his attempt at starting a business was also unsuccessful. So, in order to seek better career prospects he traveled to England and was hoping of securing the post of commissioner of customs for North America. There he got the opportunity to meet and interact with various prominent personalities even though he could not get the post he was aiming for. A lawyer by education, he became a member of The New Jersey Provincial Council that made treaties with the Delaware and several other tribes. He resigned from this prestigious position to be able to represent New Jersey in the Continental Congress and sign the Declaration of Independence in 1776. In addition to being a politician, he was also an author, songwriter, and musician. He wrote political satires and poems that were popular during his heydays. One of his most famous works is ‘A Pretty Story’, a satire about King George.
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Childhood & Early Life
Francis Hopkinson was the eldest among the eight children born to Thomas Hopkinson and Mary Baldwin Johnson. His father died when he was only 14 and his mother tried her best to give her children a good life.
Motivated by his mother to acquire a good education, he joined the newly-founded College of Philadelphia in 1751 and graduated with a B.A degree in 1757. He earned his master’s degree three years later in 1760.
Career
He studied law under the guidance of Pennsylvania’s attorney general Benjamin Chew and began his law practice in 1761. However, he could not do well in this endeavour.
Looking for a career change, he entered the public service later in 1761 and was appointed secretary to the Provincial Council of Pennsylvania Indian Commission. In this position, he worked to make treaties with the Delaware and several other tribes.
He was made the customs collector for Salem, New Jersey, in 1763. During this time he tried his hands at operating a business venture, but could not find success.
He worked as a librarian for a year in 1764.
Public career suited him well, and in order to seek better job prospects he went to England in 1766 to secure the position of commissioner of customs for North America.
In England, he met the would-be Prime Minister Lord North, his half-brother The Bishop of Worcester, and the painter Benjamin West. His acquaintance with Lord North enriched his knowledge about politics and the working of governments, while he learnt painting from Benjamin West.
He returned to America in 1767 as he could not achieve the original goal of securing the position of commissioner of customs for North America.
In 1771, he became the director of the Library Company and held this post for two years.
He returned to public service in 1772 when he got appointed as a Customs Collector for New castle Delaware.
In 1774, he shifted to Bordentown where he became an Assemblyman for the New Jersey Royal Provincial Council.
His success in the public service gave him the confidence to revive his legal career and he was admitted to the Royal Council of New Jersey in 1775.
In 1776, he resigned from all the posts he held under the government of the British Empire as they conflicted with the revolutionary causes he believed in. He was selected as a delegate to represent New Jersey in the Second Continental Congress on 22 June 1776.
He voted for independence on 2 July 1776 and participated in the independence debates with several other delegates. He signed the Declaration on 2 August 1776. His stint with the congress was brief and he left in November the same year.
He was appointed by the State of Pennsylvania to serve as a judge of the Admiralty in 1779 and held this position till 1789. He also served as a judge of Pennsylvania’s U.S. District court for one term from 1790 to 1791.
He also composed many songs and ballads, including the highly acclaimed "My Days have been so Wondrous Free" which he had originally penned in 1759. His other famous compositions include ‘The New Roof’ and ‘The Toast’.
As a writer, he published several essays with an underlying political motif, the notable of them being ‘A Pretty Story’ (1774), ‘The Prophecy’ (1776), and ‘The Political Catechism’ (1777).
He is credited to have designed the first American flag and he contributed to the designs of various important seals and symbols for the newly independent U.S.
Major Works
In 1776, he participated in the vote of independence and independence debates, and signed the Declaration of Independence on 2 August, becoming one of the 56 delegates to do so.
He claimed in a 1780 letter to the government that he had designed America’s first flag that consisted of thirteen white stars in a background of blue, and thirteen red and white stripes. At that time the government did not acknowledge his claim, but later on it became an undisputable fact that he was the designer of the first American Flag.
Personal Life & Legacy
In 1768, he married Ann Borden, daughter of Colonel Joseph Borden. The couple had nine children out of whom only five survived to adulthood.
He died in 1791 from a sudden epileptic seizure at the relatively young age of 53.
Trivia
He was very religious and took active part in church activities.
He was an accomplished player on the harpsichord.
As the designer of the American flag, he only requested a bottle of wine from the government as his payment.
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Francis Hopkinson biography timelines
- // 21st Sep 1737Francis Hopkinson was the eldest among the eight children born to Thomas Hopkinson and Mary Baldwin Johnson. His father died when he was only 14 and his mother tried her best to give her children a good life.
- // 1751 To 1760Motivated by his mother to acquire a good education, he joined the newly-founded College of Philadelphia in 1751 and graduated with a B.A degree in 1757. He earned his master’s degree three years later in 1760.
- // 1761He studied law under the guidance of Pennsylvania’s attorney general Benjamin Chew and began his law practice in 1761. However, he could not do well in this endeavour.
- // 1763He was made the customs collector for Salem, New Jersey, in 1763. During this time he tried his hands at operating a business venture, but could not find success.
- // 1764He worked as a librarian for a year in 1764.
- // 1766Public career suited him well, and in order to seek better job prospects he went to England in 1766 to secure the position of commissioner of customs for North America.
- // 1767He returned to America in 1767 as he could not achieve the original goal of securing the position of commissioner of customs for North America.
- // 1768In 1768, he married Ann Borden, daughter of Colonel Joseph Borden. The couple had nine children out of whom only five survived to adulthood.
- // 1771In 1771, he became the director of the Library Company and held this post for two years.
- // 1772He returned to public service in 1772 when he got appointed as a Customs Collector for New castle Delaware.
- // 1774In 1774, he shifted to Bordentown where he became an Assemblyman for the New Jersey Royal Provincial Council.
- // 1775His success in the public service gave him the confidence to revive his legal career and he was admitted to the Royal Council of New Jersey in 1775.
- // 1776In 1776, he resigned from all the posts he held under the government of the British Empire as they conflicted with the revolutionary causes he believed in. He was selected as a delegate to represent New Jersey in the Second Continental Congress on 22 June 1776.
- // 1779 To 1791He was appointed by the State of Pennsylvania to serve as a judge of the Admiralty in 1779 and held this position till 1789. He also served as a judge of Pennsylvania’s U.S. District court for one term from 1790 to 1791.
- // 9th May 1791He died in 1791 from a sudden epileptic seizure at the relatively young age of 53.
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Francis Hopkinson's FAQ
What is Francis Hopkinson birthday?
Francis Hopkinson was born at 1737-09-21
When was Francis Hopkinson died?
Francis Hopkinson was died at 1791-05-09
Where was Francis Hopkinson died?
Francis Hopkinson was died in Philadelphia
Which age was Francis Hopkinson died?
Francis Hopkinson was died at age 53
Where is Francis Hopkinson's birth place?
Francis Hopkinson was born in Philadelphia
What is Francis Hopkinson nationalities?
Francis Hopkinson's nationalities is American
Who is Francis Hopkinson spouses?
Francis Hopkinson's spouses is Ann Borden
Who is Francis Hopkinson childrens?
Francis Hopkinson's childrens is Joseph Hopkinson
What was Francis Hopkinson universities?
Francis Hopkinson studied at University Of Pennsylvania, The Academy and College of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania
What was Francis Hopkinson notable alumnis?
Francis Hopkinson's notable alumnis is University Of Pennsylvania
Who is Francis Hopkinson's father?
Francis Hopkinson's father is Thomas Hopkinson
Who is Francis Hopkinson's mother?
Francis Hopkinson's mother is Mary Johnson
What is Francis Hopkinson's sun sign?
Francis Hopkinson is Virgo
How famous is Francis Hopkinson?
Francis Hopkinson is famouse as Former United States District Judge