John Hancock has the largest and most famous signature on the United States Declaration of Independence.
Hancock was president of the Second Continental Congress when the declaration was adopted. His prominent signature appears beneath the text on the engrossed parchment and became an enduring symbol of bold public commitment.
The phrase “put your John Hancock” later developed as an informal American expression meaning to sign one’s name. This usage comes from the visual prominence of Hancock’s signature rather than from a special legal status attached to his name.
Hancock’s signature is often linked to a story that he wanted the king to read it without spectacles. That anecdote is widely repeated but is not firmly documented. The reliable fact is that Hancock’s name is visibly larger than the others on the document.