answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

John Hancock signed his signature so big because he wanted the King of England to see it without his glasses.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why is the signature on the first Declaration so large?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about General History

Who owned the ship liberty and signed the Declaration of Independence fisrst?

John Hancock was first to sign the declaration of independence. Many thought his large signature was ego (which some of it may have been), but he was also making a statement by signing so large and putting his life on the line.


Who signed their name big on the Declaration of Independence?

It was the Declaration of Independence, not the Constitution. The Constitution has no giant signatures- The Declaration of Independence does -- and that would be John Hancock -- whose signature is so large in comparison to all the other signatures, that he earned the phrase "Can I have your John Hancock?" which is said in reference to asking someone for their signature!


Why is John Hancock's signature so large?

John Hancock did not write the Declaration of Independence; it was mostly the work of Thomas Jefferson. All Hancock did was sign it first and very boldly, knowing that by signing it the British would consider that he (and all the other signers) had committed treason.


Why was John Hancock famous?

John Hancock remains famous because he signed his name very largely and prominently on the Declaration of Independence. He said that this was to allow the British to read his name without their glasses. Signing the declaration was an act of treason punishable by death, and Hancock's emphatic signature was a statement of courage, telling everyone that the colonists were ready to stand up for their independence. Today "John Hancock" is slang for signature.John Hancock also was the son of shipping smuggler and aristocrat John Hancock Sr. The British knew about Hancock Sr.'s smuggling trade and they were very annoyed and had an aggressive attitude toward him. That is another reason John Hancock signed his name so big is so they would be able to read it plainly and it would be the first name they would recognize, further antagonizing the British. Hancock was said to have a "great purse" and he did inherit a large portion of land, large estate, and his father's "shipping" empire. Since land owners determined social status, John Hancock was one of the four Massachusetts State delegates sent to the First Continental Congress where they were pleading to Congress to adopt the Massachusetts Militia to help them fend off the British aggression in Boston and the Second Continental Congress where the Declaration of Independence was drafted, debated, and then signed.He was remembered for because of his attitudeHe was famous for his large and stylish signature on the Declaration of Independence.He made his signature big so that King George would see it without his spectacles.He served as president of the Second Continental Congress and was the first governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He is remembered for his large and stylish signature on the United States Declaration of Independence, so much so that "John Hancock" became, in the United States, a synonym for "signature". (Wikipedia)For the source and more detailed information concerning your request, click on the related links section (Wikipedia) indicated directly below this answer section.


First declaration of independence signer?

The president of the continental congress - john hancock. he used large handwriting so that the king wouldn't need his glasses

Related questions

What is the first right on the declaration of independences?

The first signer was john Hancock, who's large signature was ex-planed with " so old George can read it without his glasses."


Why is thomas Jefferson name so large on declaration of independence?

It was not Thom Jefferson's name that was large. It was John Hancock's signature.


What is the story behind John Hancock's signature?

The words "John Hancock" are often used to describe the word "signature." When J. Hancock singed the Declaration of Independence, his was the largest sig. of them all. Hancock is best-remembered for his giant signature on the document, so that is why a signature is often called a "John Hancock."


Who owned the ship liberty and signed the Declaration of Independence fisrst?

John Hancock was first to sign the declaration of independence. Many thought his large signature was ego (which some of it may have been), but he was also making a statement by signing so large and putting his life on the line.


What did John Hancock do for the Congress?

He served as president of the Second Continental Congress and was the first and third Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He is remembered for his large and stylish signature on the United States Declaration of Independence, so much so that "John Hancock" became, in the United States, a synonym for "signature".


Who was the president of the Second Continental Congress and the first person to sign the Declaration o Independence?

John Hancock was the first to sign. He intentionally signed the document in large letters 'so the king won't have to put on his glasses to read my signature'.


Where did the phrase sign your John Hancock come from?

It means to sign something.. Looking at the Declaration of Independence , you can see John Hancock's signature the clearest. He wrote it bigger then the rest and neatly. Put your John Hancock write your signature nice and bold!


Who signed their name big on the Declaration of Independence?

It was the Declaration of Independence, not the Constitution. The Constitution has no giant signatures- The Declaration of Independence does -- and that would be John Hancock -- whose signature is so large in comparison to all the other signatures, that he earned the phrase "Can I have your John Hancock?" which is said in reference to asking someone for their signature!


Who was the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence and why was it so large?

The 1st person to sigh the Declaration of Independence was John Hancock. It was so big because it meant that they were ready to be independent and was ready to fight a war if they had to!


Who was the first signatory to the Declaration of Independence?

John Hancock has the distinction of being both the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence as well as the one who signed it in the largest manner ... according to many so that King George would be able to more easily read and recognize his name without being forced to put on his spectacles (or glasses) to read the signature.


Who was John Handcock?

A founder of the Untied States. John Hancock was one of the 55 signers of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. His signature is the biggest so many will refer to dramatically signing a document as signing your Hancock, referencing the Declaration of Independence.


Why is john handcock signature so large?

The pragmatic & probably most correct answer would be that the signature is large because he was the first to sign and he signed it days before the others did. But frankly, I prefer the "in your face" response, namely, "so the king will know quite clearly who opposes him". It has way more spunk.