Who was John Hancock

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Q.� Why

A.� Hancock was president of the First and Second Continental Congresses from 1775 to 1777 - the assemblies of delegates from the rebel colonies held during and after the War of Independence. He was one of the richest men in America, a patriot and a smuggler.

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Q.� Biography

A.� He was born in Braintree, Massachusetts, in 1737. Both his father and grandfather were clergymen. He graduated from Harvard College at 17 and entered his uncle Thomas's business as a clerk in the merchant company's counting house. Thomas died in 1764 and John - aged 27 - he took control of the greatest fortune ever amassed in New England.

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Q.� So how did he get involved in politics

A.� The Stamp Act, introduced in 1765, imposed heavy taxes on cargo invoices, legal documents and advertisements. Soon he became one of its most furious opponents and began to rebel. He and Samuel Adams worked so hard for independence that they became known as outlaws. On 18 April, 1775, Paul Revere made his famous ride chiefly to warn Hancock and Adams of their impending arrest.

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Q.� And he went ion to more conventional politics

A.� Yes - as president of the Massachusetts Provisional Congress 1774-1775, then president of the First and Second Continental Congresses.

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Q.� And the signing

A.� It was a bold stroke by a courageous man; this act meant he could be hanged as a traitor. But contrary to popular belief, he did not sign it first as an act of encouragement as the others looked on. In fact, he was the only one to sign it at that moment. The famous Benjamin West painting gives the impression that Hancock signed his name in front of the other delegates from the Continental Congress.

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When Congress adjourned on 4 July after debating the declaration for three days, adding changes, Hancock was charged with authenticating the revised document, signing it, and sending copies to the colonial legislatures for approval. When Hancock finally put his name to the declaration, he did so in a chamber that contained only one other man: Charles Thomson, the Congress secretary.

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The first printed copies of the declaration bore only Hancock and Thomson's names. The rest of the delegates did not sign until 2 August or later, and Congress kept their identities secret for several months to protect them from treason charges.

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Q.� And what happened to Hancock

A.� He remained president of the Congress until 1777. He then concentrated on helping Massachusetts frame its constitution, whereupon he was elected its first governor. Hancock died, aged 56, in 1793 during his ninth term as governor.

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Steve Cunningham