John Hancock – The Master Signature Creator

John Hancock (1737-1793) was an American statesman and a member of the Continental Congress during the American Revolution. While many know him for his larger-than-life signature on the Declaration of Independence, there is much more to this man than just his penmanship.

Early Life and Education

Born to a wealthy family in Braintree, Massachusetts, Hancock received all the education and privileges that were available to the upper class during those times. However, he was an exceptionally lazy student and often found himself dozing off in class. His teachers would often complain about him, saying that he had the attention span of a goldfish in a fishbowl.

Career

Hancock went on to inherit his uncle’s mercantile business, and he soon became one of Boston’s most successful merchants. He loved to show off his wealth and often threw lavish parties for his friends and family. Word has it that his parties were so extravagant that people even started calling him “The Sultan of Swag.”

The Signature

Hancock became president of the Second Continental Congress in 1775 and was one of the first to sign the Declaration of Independence. He then proceeded to sign his name in such an enormous font that it has become synonymous with his name ever since. Legend has it that the other founding fathers were so jealous of his signature that they decided to sign the rest of the document in tiny print, as if to say, “Well, we may not be as flashy as Hancock, but at least we can fit our entire name on the page.”

Personal Life

While he had many friends, Hancock was known for his arrogance and often rubbed people the wrong way. Some even went as far as to say that he had a serious case of “signature envy,” feeling the need to always outdo everyone else. Despite his flaws, he was known to be a great philanthropist, donating large amounts of money to local charities and causes close to his heart.

Legacy

John Hancock may have passed away over two centuries ago, but his signature lives on. Today, his name is synonymous with extravagant displays of wealth and grandiose signatures. If he were alive today, he would probably be a rapper or a social media influencer, constantly seeking attention by performing outrageous stunts and flashing his signature at every possible opportunity.