John Hancock was the first President of Congress after the country won its independence; he was arguably also its the most popular. A successful merchant and renowned American patriot, Hancock was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and he was also twice elected United States President of Congress Assembled.
Hancock operated a thriving mercantile business before he got involved in politics. He utilized his vast personal fortune for local philanthropic causes and to support groups opposing unfair British taxation policies. His willingness to defy the British made him an icon of colonists. His personal popularity is evident considering he served as a nine-term governor of his native Massachusetts
