Today's Birthday
John Hancock1737–93, political leader in the American Revolution and signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Born in Braintree, Mass. From an uncle he inherited Boston's leading mercantile firm, and naturally he opposed the Stamp Act (1765) and other British trade restrictions. In 1768 his ship Liberty was seized as a smuggler and confiscated by the crown. A riot ensued, and later the ship was burned. Hancock was hailed as a martyr and elected (1766) to the legislature, where he joined Samuel Adams in advocating resistance to England. In 1775, Gen. Thomas Gage issued a warrant for their arrest, but they escaped. Hancock was a member (1775–80, 1785–86) and president (1775–77, 1785–86) of the Continental Congress. His name appears first (and largest) on the Declaration of Independence, and the term “John Hancock” is often used to mean a signature. He was governor of Massachusetts (1780–85, 1787–93).
Bibliography:
See biographies by L. Sears (1912, repr. 1972), W. T. Baxter (1945), H. S. Allan (1948), and F. Wagner (1964).
Who2. Copyright © 1998-2006 by Who2?, LLC. All rights reserved.
Also Born on January 12
- Charles Perraultpoet (1628)
- Edmund Burkepolitical writer and statesman (1729)
- John Singer Sargentpainter (1856)
- Jack Londonnovelist (1876)
- P. W. Bothapolitical leader (1916)
- James Farmercivil rights leader (1920)
- Joe Frazierboxer (1944)
- Rush Limbaughradio personality (1951)
- Howard Sternradio personality (1954)
- Jeff Bezosentrepreneur (1964)
- Rob Zombierock musician, filmmaker (1966)
- Vendelamodel (1967)
Who Shares Your Birthday?
The Day You Were Born
The Year You Were Born
Trending
Here are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.
