John Hancock’s large signature appears first on the engrossed Declaration of Independence commemorated by America250.
Hancock was president of the Second Continental Congress when the Declaration was adopted and signed. His prominent signature is placed separately from the state-grouped names of the other delegates, helping distinguish his role as presiding officer.
The size and boldness of Hancock’s signature helped turn “John Hancock” into an informal American expression meaning a person’s signature. The phrase remains associated with signing documents, although the historical reason is simply the striking appearance of his name on the Declaration.
John Hancock did not write the Declaration’s original draft; Thomas Jefferson did most of that work. Benjamin Franklin and John Adams were members of the drafting committee, while George Washington was not a signer because he was serving as commander in chief of the Continental Army.