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Francis Hopkinson

Francis Hopkinson

Born 1737 in Philadelphia, PA

Died 1791 in Philadelphia, PA

FJC ID: 1093

Francis Hopkinson (October 2, 1737 – May 9, 1791) was an American Founding Father, lawyer, jurist, author, and composer. He designed Continental paper money and two early versions of flags, one for the United States and one for the United States Navy. He was a signer of the Declaration of Independence in July 1776 as a delegate from New Jersey.

Hopkinson served in various roles in the early United States government including as a member of the Second Continental Congress and as a member of the Navy Board. He became the first federal judge of the Eastern District Court of Pennsylvania on September 30, 1789.

Gender
Male
Race
White

Prior employment

  1. Admiralty Court of Pennsylvania
    Judge · 1779–1789
  2. Continental Loan Office, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    Treasurer · 1778–1781
  3. Navy Board, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    Member · 1776–1777
  4. Governor's Council of New Jersey
    Member · 1774–1776
  5. Continental Congress
    Delegate · 1776
  6. Private practice, Bordentown, New Jersey
    1773–1774
  7. New Castle, Delaware
    Collector of customs · 1772–1773
  8. Bordentown, New Jersey
    Merchant · 1768–1772
  9. Private practice, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    1761–1766
  10. Salem, New Jersey
    Collector of customs · 1763

Appointments

  1. District Court, D. Pennsylvania
    1789–1791
    Term ended: ded
  2. U.S. District Court for the District of Pennsylvania
    1789–1791 · Appointed by George Washington
    Term ended: Death

Education

  1. College of Philadelphia (now University of Pennsylvania)
    A.M. · 1760
  2. College of Philadelphia (now University of Pennsylvania)
    A.B. · 1757