John Hancock wrote the largest signature on the United States Declaration of Independence.
Hancock was president of the Second Continental Congress when the Declaration was adopted. His large, prominent signature appears below the text on the engrossed parchment copy, making it the most visually recognizable of the 56 signatures.
The phrase “John Hancock” later became an informal American expression for a signature. That usage grew from the striking size and placement of Hancock’s name, although the Declaration’s other signers also added their names to the document.
Hancock’s role was political as well as visual. As Congress’s presiding officer, he signed first on the engrossed copy and represented Massachusetts. He later served as governor of Massachusetts. The famous signature is often remembered as a dramatic personal gesture, but Hancock was signing in his official capacity as congressional president.