Hopkinson, Francis (1737–1791)

American politician, composer, and writer. In 1776 he was elected representative of New Jersey to the Continental Congress, was a signatory of the Declaration of Independence, and designed the US flag. As a writer, he was very popular during the American Revolution, particularly for his poem ‘The Battle of the Kegs 1778’.

Hopkinson was born in Philadelphia and educated at the University of Philadelphia, then studied law. He was appointed judge of the Admiralty in Pennsylvania 1779, and judge of the District Court of the USA.

He was versatile writer, whose works include The Treaty 1761, Science 1762, A Pretty Story 1774, A Prophecy 1776, ‘A Camp Ballad’ 1777, The Political Catechism 1777, and ‘Essay on Whitewashing and Modern Learning’ 1784.