John Hancock is the American Founding Father famous for the large signature on the Declaration of Independence.
Hancock was president of the Continental Congress when the Declaration was adopted. His prominent signature appears on the engrossed parchment copy, the document now displayed at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
The popular story says Hancock signed his name boldly so King George III could read it without spectacles. Historians regard that explanation as apocryphal; the oversized signature was more likely a product of Hancock’s personal writing style and his position as presiding officer.
Hancock’s name became so closely associated with signing that “John Hancock” later became an informal American expression for a signature. He also served as governor of Massachusetts and signed the Articles of Confederation.