John Hancock

John Hancock was an American revolutionary leader and prominent statesman known for his large and bold signature on the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Born in 1737, he was a successful merchant and served as the President of the Second Continental Congress. Hancock became a symbol of American independence and defiance against British rule. His signature has come to represent the act of signing one's name or taking a stand for a cause. Today, "John Hancock" is commonly used as a colloquial term for a person's signature.