Francis Hopkinson
Who was Francis Hopkinson?
American politician, judge, and author 1737-1791
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Francis Hopkinson (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Francis Hopkinson, born on October 2, 1737, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, became one of the most versatile figures of the American founding era. He studied law at the Academy and College of Philadelphia, which later became the University of Pennsylvania, and was among its first graduates. After being admitted to the bar, his legal career eventually took him to high positions in the new republic's judiciary. He married Ann Hopkinson, and they became part of Philadelphia society. Hopkinson was recognized for his legal and political work, as well as his significant artistic and literary contributions.
Before Fame
Francis Hopkinson grew up in Philadelphia during colonial times, when the city was a key intellectual and commercial hub in British North America. His father, Thomas Hopkinson, was a well-known lawyer and judge, which exposed Francis to law and civic life early on. He attended the Academy and College of Philadelphia, graduated, and then studied law before being admitted to the bar. His interests were broad, spanning music, poetry, and visual arts, which helped him become part of Philadelphia's cultural scene before the political events of the 1770s led him into public life.
Key Achievements
- Signed the Declaration of Independence in July 1776 as a delegate from New Jersey
- Served as a member of the Second Continental Congress and the Navy Board
- Appointed as the first federal judge of the Eastern District Court of Pennsylvania in 1789
- Designed early versions of the American flag and the United States Navy flag, as well as Continental paper money
- Received the Magellanic Premium from the American Philosophical Society in 1790 for contributions to navigation
Did You Know?
- 01.Hopkinson submitted a bill to Congress in 1780 claiming payment for designing the American flag, the seal of the United States, and several other national symbols, but his claim was ultimately rejected on the grounds that he had not been the sole designer.
- 02.He was awarded the Magellanic Premium in 1790 by the American Philosophical Society for an improvement he proposed to the mariner's compass, one of the earliest awards of that prize.
- 03.Hopkinson wrote a satirical poem called 'The Battle of the Kegs' in 1778, mocking the British reaction to floating mines sent down the Delaware River by American forces, and it became widely popular throughout the colonies.
- 04.He became the first federal judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania when he was appointed on September 30, 1789, under the new federal judiciary established by the Judiciary Act of 1789.
- 05.Hopkinson also designed Continental paper currency and created what is believed to be an early version of the United States Navy flag, making him one of the few individuals in American history to contribute to both the monetary and symbolic identity of a new nation.
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Magellanic Premium | 1790 | — |