John Hancock - President, Continental Congress

This image of John Hancock depicts how he appeared in 1776, when he was President of the Continental Congress and signed the Declaration of Independence. 

According to the Library of Congress: 

A Boston selectman and representative to the Massachusetts General Court, Hancock financed much of his region's resistance to British authority.

In addition, he presided over insurgent groups including the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts (1774) and its Committee of Safety.

On June 19, 1775, President of the Continental Congress Hancock commissioned George Washington commander-in-chief of the Army of the United Colonies.

After the war, Hancock represented his state under the Articles of Confederation (1785-86). He resumed the governorship of Massachusetts (1780-85 and 1787-93), and led his state toward ratification of the federal Constitution.

He died in 1793 while serving his ninth term as Massachusetts' governor.

Credits

Mezzotint, 7 13/16 x 6 1/4 inches, entitled Jean Hancock, President au Congres des XIII Provinces Unies d'Amerique, né à Boston.  (Translation: "John Hancock, President of the Congress for the Thirteen United Provinces in America, born in Boston.")

Publisher:  Thomas Hart, London, c. 1776.

Online, courtesy Library of Congress.