John Hancock was president of the Second Continental Congress when it adopted the Declaration of Independence.
Hancock, a wealthy Boston merchant and prominent Massachusetts patriot, became president of the Continental Congress in May 1775. He presided when Congress voted for independence in July 1776 and when it adopted the Declaration on July 4. His position gave him an important ceremonial and administrative role during the break with Britain.
Hancock’s name is especially recognizable because he signed the engrossed Declaration in a large, prominent hand. The document was formally signed by delegates beginning on August 2, 1776, rather than by everyone on July 4. Hancock’s distinctive signature helped create the expression “John Hancock” as an informal synonym for a signature.
He was not the document’s principal writer; that role is chiefly associated with Thomas Jefferson. Hancock later became the first governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and served multiple terms. His presidency of Congress and famous signature made him one of the best-known public figures of the American founding.