John Hancock gave the Declaration of Independence its largest and most famous signature.
Hancock was president of the Second Continental Congress when the Declaration was adopted. His prominent signature appears below the text and became so recognizable that “John Hancock” later became an American expression for a signature.
The document itself does not identify Hancock's name as a special ceremonial heading; the visual prominence comes from the size and placement of his handwriting. He signed first among the delegates, while the other signatures were arranged by state or colony.
Hancock was a wealthy Massachusetts merchant and an important Patriot leader. He had served in the Continental Congress since 1775 and later became governor of Massachusetts. His signature is often mistakenly treated as the only one that mattered, but 55 other delegates also signed the Declaration.