William Hooper - Former Delegate to the Continental Congress, Timeline and Life
William Hooper's Personal Details
William Hooper was a lawyer and politician from North Carolina who signed the U.S
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | June 17, 1742 |
| Died on | October 14, 1790 |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous | Harvard University, Leaders, Political Leaders, Former Delegate to the Continental Congress |
| Spouses | Anne Clark |
| Childrens | Elizabeth, William |
| Universities |
|
| Notable Alumnis |
|
| Birth Place | Boston |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | William Hooper |
| Mother | Mary Dennie |
| Sun Sign | Gemini |
| Born in | Boston |
| Famous as | Former Delegate to the Continental Congress |
| Died at Age | 48 |
William Hooper's photo
Who is William Hooper?
William Hooper, one of the Founding Fathers of America, was a lawyer and politician who signed the U.S. Declaration of Independence on behalf of North Carolina. The son of a clergyman, he was expected to follow in his father’s footsteps but instead he chose to pursue a career in law. He became a highly successful and prosperous lawyer who gained the respect of his clients and peers alike. He was appointed as the Deputy Attorney of the Salisbury District soon moving on to the rank of Deputy Attorney General of North Carolina. Initially he was a loyalist and supported the British colonial government, but a few incidents changed his mind and he became a strong supporter of the independence movement. He always had an interest in politics though he formally got involved in political issues when he represented the Scots settlement of Cambelltown in the Provincial Congress Assembly. His deep knowledge about the legislature and legal proceedings were of immense value to the Congress, and he even utilized his personal fortunes in support of the independence cause. Hooper was a patriot in the truest sense; he did not change his ideologies even after the British destroyed his home and properties. He continued serving the North Carolina Assembly for many years after independence.
// Famous Political Leaders
Edi Rama
Edi Rama is the current Prime Minister of Albania. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.
Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the current President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.
Leo Varadkar
Cam Leo Varadkar is the current Taoiseach—the Prime Minister—of the Republic of Ireland. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and other facts about his life.
Childhood & Early Life
William Hooper was born to Congregational minister, whose name was also William Hooper, and Mary Dennie. He was eldest of the five children.
He acquired his early education at the Boston Latin School, under the headmaster John Lovel.
He enrolled at Harvard College in 1757 and earned his B.A degree in 1760. He received his M.A in theology in 1763.
His father expected his son to become an Episcopal minister, but young William wanted to become a lawyer. He began studying law under the tutelage of the fiercely patriotic lawyer James Otis who is believed to have influenced his beliefs regarding the freedom movement.
Career
He moved to North Carolina in 1764 to begin practicing law as there was already an abundance of lawyers in his hometown. He became a lawyer in the circuit court of Cape Fear.
He soon became a well respected lawyer and was elected the recorder of the borough in 1766.
British Governor William Tyron appointed Hooper as the Deputy Attorney General for the King in the Salisbury District Court in 1769. He was a loyalist in the beginning and fully supported the British rule.
His appointment did not find favour with the regulators who dragged Hooper through the streets during the Hillsborough riots in 1770.
Hooper participated in the Battle of Alamance in 1771 as a part of the Governor’s militia. This battle was considered to be the first battle of the American Revolution.
His views regarding the British rule began to change by this period and he was eager to join the American patriotic movement. Initially he was viewed with skepticism due to his prior loyalty to the British, but eventually he was accepted.
In 1773, he was elected to the North Carolina General Assembly as a representative for the Scots settlement of Cambeltown. There he met many prominent personalities like Allen Jones, Samuel Johnston, and John Harvey.
Hooper, along with John Penn and Joseph Hewes were selected to represent North Carolina in the Continental Congress.
The First Continental Congress was assembled in Philadelphia in September 1774. The members decided to adopt the Continental Association and formed committees in each county for enforcing the provisions of the Association.
The Wilmington Committee of Safety was formed in November 1774 to carry out the provisions of the Continental Association, and Hooper was one of its eight members. The committee served till 1776.
He attended the Philadelphia Congress in 1775 and chaired several committees. By 1776, he had attended several meetings of the Continental Congress and the Provincial Congress.
He could not attend the vote of independence or the declaration on 4 July 1776, but he was present to sign the Declaration of Independence on 2 August 1776 along with most of the other signers.
He was appointed the chairman of the committee to devise a Great Seal for the new state of North Carolina in December 1776. Joseph Hewes and Thomas Burke were two other significant members of the committee.
He became ill with malaria in 1777 and resigned from the U.S. Congress.
He resumed his law practice at Wilmington and continued attending the General Assembly as a member of the borough of Wilmington and served on various committees.
Major Works
William Hooper is well-known for being one of the Founding Fathers of America who signed the U.S. Declaration of Independence in 1776. He was one of those signers who had to endure many mental, physical, and financial hardships because of his devotion to the cause of independence.
Personal Life & Legacy
William Hooper married Anne Clark on 16 August 1767. Anne belonged to an affluent family. The couple had several children of whom only three survived to adulthood.
In 1781, the British burned his house and estate forcing Hooper to seek refuge with his friends while his wife took the children to her brother’s house. The family was reunited after a year in 1782.
He suffered from poor health during his later years and died at the age of 48.
Trivia
He was a fair and kind man who found it easy to forgive even those who had harmed him.
He was well known for being a generous host who lavishly entertained his guests.
// Famous Leaders
Edi Rama
Edi Rama is the current Prime Minister of Albania. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.
Tecumseh
Tecumseh was a Native American leader of the Shawnee clan. This biography profiles his childhood, life and timeline.
Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the current President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.
William Hooper biography timelines
- // 17th Jun 1742William Hooper was born to Congregational minister, whose name was also William Hooper, and Mary Dennie. He was eldest of the five children.
- // 1757 To 1763He enrolled at Harvard College in 1757 and earned his B.A degree in 1760. He received his M.A in theology in 1763.
- // 1764He moved to North Carolina in 1764 to begin practicing law as there was already an abundance of lawyers in his hometown. He became a lawyer in the circuit court of Cape Fear.
- // 1766He soon became a well respected lawyer and was elected the recorder of the borough in 1766.
- // 16th Aug 1767William Hooper married Anne Clark on 16 August 1767. Anne belonged to an affluent family. The couple had several children of whom only three survived to adulthood.
- // 1769British Governor William Tyron appointed Hooper as the Deputy Attorney General for the King in the Salisbury District Court in 1769. He was a loyalist in the beginning and fully supported the British rule.
- // 1770His appointment did not find favour with the regulators who dragged Hooper through the streets during the Hillsborough riots in 1770.
- // 1771Hooper participated in the Battle of Alamance in 1771 as a part of the Governor’s militia. This battle was considered to be the first battle of the American Revolution.
- // 1773In 1773, he was elected to the North Carolina General Assembly as a representative for the Scots settlement of Cambeltown. There he met many prominent personalities like Allen Jones, Samuel Johnston, and John Harvey.
- // 1774 To 1776The Wilmington Committee of Safety was formed in November 1774 to carry out the provisions of the Continental Association, and Hooper was one of its eight members. The committee served till 1776.
- // 1775He attended the Philadelphia Congress in 1775 and chaired several committees. By 1776, he had attended several meetings of the Continental Congress and the Provincial Congress.
- // 2nd Aug 1776He could not attend the vote of independence or the declaration on 4 July 1776, but he was present to sign the Declaration of Independence on 2 August 1776 along with most of the other signers.
- // Dec 1776He was appointed the chairman of the committee to devise a Great Seal for the new state of North Carolina in December 1776. Joseph Hewes and Thomas Burke were two other significant members of the committee.
- // 1777He became ill with malaria in 1777 and resigned from the U.S. Congress.
- // 14th Oct 1790He suffered from poor health during his later years and died at the age of 48.
// Famous Harvard University
Bertil Gotthard Ohlin
Bertil Gotthard Ohlin was a famous Swedish economist. This biography profiles his childhood, family life & achievements.
Xi Mingze
Xi Mingze is the daughter of Chinese Leader Xi Jinping, Check out this biography to know about her birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her.
Susan Sontag
Susan Sontag is an American critical essayist, cultural analyst, novelist, political activist, filmmaker and playwright of international repute. Read on to find out more about her childhood, career, profile and timeline.
Pete Hegseth
Pete Hegseth is a FOX News Channel contributor from America. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.
Paul Samuelson
Nobel laureate Paul Anthony Samuelson is referred to as the ‘Father of Modern Economics’. This biography profiles his childhood, life, career, achievements and interesting facts about him.
Michael Schur
Michael Schur is an American television actor, producer, and writer. Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.
William Hooper's FAQ
What is William Hooper birthday?
William Hooper was born at 1742-06-17
When was William Hooper died?
William Hooper was died at 1790-10-14
Where was William Hooper died?
William Hooper was died in North Carolina
Which age was William Hooper died?
William Hooper was died at age 48
Where is William Hooper's birth place?
William Hooper was born in Boston
What is William Hooper nationalities?
William Hooper's nationalities is American
Who is William Hooper spouses?
William Hooper's spouses is Anne Clark
Who is William Hooper childrens?
William Hooper's childrens is Elizabeth, William
What was William Hooper universities?
William Hooper studied at Harvard University, Boston Latin School, Harvard University
What was William Hooper notable alumnis?
William Hooper's notable alumnis is Harvard University
Who is William Hooper's father?
William Hooper's father is William Hooper
Who is William Hooper's mother?
William Hooper's mother is Mary Dennie
What is William Hooper's sun sign?
William Hooper is Gemini
How famous is William Hooper?
William Hooper is famouse as Former Delegate to the Continental Congress