John Hancock

@Former President of the Continental Congress, Birthday and Life ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ John Hancock was one of the signers of the U.S Massachusetts American Harvard University Leaders Political Leaders Aquarius Celebrities The first signatory to affix his signature on the U.S. Declaration of Independence, John Hancock was a prosperous merchant cum politician. He was one of the leading figures of the American Revolution who even spent his personal wealth for the Independence movement. Orphaned at an early age, he was adopted by a wealthy childless relative who passed on his vast business to Hancock on a later date. The young businessman met the influential politician Samuel Adams whose patriotic views kindled his interests in politics. He became actively involved in politics when the British government passed the Stamp Act that imposed a tax on the British American colonies causing uproar of disapproval from the colonists. The policies of the British were not only against patriotic sentiments, but also placed several hurdles in transacting business deals. His acquaintance with Samuel Adams proved beneficial and he was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Later on he became a member of the Provincial Congress and served on the Committee of Safety. He was elected president of the Continental Congress because of his experience and high social status, and owing to his position, he was the first one to sign the U.S. Declaration of Independence. He is remembered for the large and stylish signature he affixed on the document.

Personal Details

Birthday: January 23, 1737 Died on: October 8, 1793 Nationality: American Famous: Former President of the Continental Congress, Harvard University, Leaders, Political Leaders City/State: Massachusetts Spouses: Dorothy Quincy (m. 1775–1793) Childrens: John George Washington Hancock, Lydia Henchman Hancock Information Detail Birthday January 23, 1737 Died on October 8, 1793 Nationality American Famous Former President of the Continental Congress, Harvard University, Leaders, Political Leaders City/State Massachusetts Spouses Dorothy Quincy (m. 1775–1793) Childrens John George Washington Hancock, Lydia Henchman Hancock Universities Harvard University Boston Latin School Harvard College Notable Alumnis Harvard University Birth Place Quincy, Province of Massachusetts Bay Gender Male Father John Hancock Jr. Mother Mary Hawke Thaxter Sun Sign Aquarius Born in Quincy, Province of Massachusetts Bay Famous as Former President of the Continental Congress Died at Age 56

Quincy, Province of Massachusetts Bay

John Hancock born at Unsplash Birth Place

He married Dorothy Quincy on 28 August 1775. The couple had two children, both of whom died in childhood. Unsplash Personal Life

As a wealthy merchant, he lived a lavish and often extravagant life. Unsplash Personal Life

He was greatly admired for his philanthropy and was known to donate generously to widows, orphans and other needy sections of the society. Unsplash Personal Life

John Hancock was born to a Congregational pastor in Massachusetts. He was named after his father, Rev. John Hancock, who died when the boy was only seven years old. Unsplash Childhood & Early Life

After the death of his father, his uncle Thomas Hancock, a rich childless merchant, and his wife adopted him. Thomas owned a highly successful business in Boston dealing in import-export of goods. Unsplash Childhood & Early Life

He studied at the Boston Latin School and graduated in 1750. After that he went to Harvard College and earned his Bachelor’s degree in 1754. Unsplash Childhood & Early Life

He started working at his uncle’s business after completing his college education. At about the same time, the French and Indian War broke out. Unsplash Career

His uncle had favorable political relations that enabled him to secure profitable contracts from the government during war time. Hancock gained a lot of first-hand experience and knowledge about running the business. Unsplash Career

After staying in England during 1760-61 to establish relations with suppliers and customers in order to develop his business, he returned to Boston. Unsplash Career

He became a full partner in his uncle’s business in 1763, and inherited the business and vast estates after the death of his uncle in 1764, becoming one of the richest men in the colonies. Unsplash Career

The British parliament passed the Sugar Act in 1764 which caused resistance among the colonists. John Hancock, along with James Otis and Samuel Adams criticized the move. Unsplash Career

He is famous for being the President of the Continental Congress at the time of signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence on 2 August 1776. He was the first delegate to affix his signature on the document, which he did with flamboyance. Unsplash Major Works

Information	Detail
Birthday	January 23, 1737
Died on	October 8, 1793
Nationality	American
Famous	Former President of the Continental Congress, Harvard University, Leaders, Political Leaders
City/State	Massachusetts
Spouses	Dorothy Quincy (m. 1775–1793)
Childrens	John George Washington Hancock, Lydia Henchman Hancock
Universities	Harvard University Boston Latin School Harvard College
Notable Alumnis	Harvard University
Birth Place	Quincy, Province of Massachusetts Bay
Gender	Male
Father	John Hancock Jr.
Mother	Mary Hawke Thaxter
Sun Sign	Aquarius
Born in	Quincy, Province of Massachusetts Bay
Famous as	Former President of the Continental Congress
Died at Age	56

John Hancock

American

Jan 23, 1737

Biography

Personal Details

Quincy, Province of Massachusetts Bay