Francis Hopkinson

Francis Hopkinson (2 October, 1737–May 9, 1791), an American author, and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, was born at Philadelphia in 1737. He studied at the college of Philadelphia, and after graduating in 1763, resolved to prepare himself for the legal profession. After he was admitted to the bar in 1765 he spent two years in England. On his return in 1768 he obtained a lucrative public appointment in the state of New Jersey, which went on to represent in Congress in 1776-1777. In 1779 he was appointed judge of admiralty for Pennsylvania, and in 1790 district judge for that state.

Reference

• Original text adapted from a paper copy of the 1881 Encyclopædia Britannica.