John Hancock’s famous signature appears first and largest on the United States Declaration of Independence.
Hancock was president of the Second Continental Congress when Congress adopted the Declaration in July 1776. His position explains why his name appears prominently below the document’s text, separate from the grouped state signatures.
The large, bold signature helped create the enduring expression “John Hancock,” meaning a person’s signature. Hancock was a wealthy Massachusetts merchant and an important supporter of the patriot cause before the Declaration was issued.
John Hancock did not write the Declaration; Thomas Jefferson was its principal drafter, working with a committee of five. George Washington also did not sign it because he was serving as commander in chief of the Continental Army rather than as a delegate to Congress.