Francis Hopkinson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Francis Hopkinson
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portrait by Robert Edge Pine (1785)
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| Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Pennsylvania | |
| In office September 26, 1789 – May 9, 1791 |
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| Appointed by | George Washington |
| Preceded by | Seat established by 1 Stat. 73 |
| Succeeded by | William Lewis |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Francis Hopkinson
October 2, 1737 Philadelphia, Province of Pennsylvania, British America |
| Died | May 9, 1791 (aged 53) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Resting place | Christ Church Burial Ground Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Children | Joseph Hopkinson |
| Parent |
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| Relatives | James Johnson |
| Education | University of Pennsylvania (A.B., A.M.) |
| Awards | Magellanic Premium (1790) |
| Signature |  |
Francis Hopkinson (born September 21, 1737 – died May 9, 1791) was a talented writer and musician. He helped design early American money, the first U.S. coin, and even two versions of the American flag. One flag was for the United States, and the other was for the United States Navy.
He was also one of the brave people who signed the Declaration of Independence in July 1776. He signed it as a representative from New Jersey. Hopkinson held many important jobs in the early U.S. government. He was part of the Second Continental Congress and the Navy Board. Later, he became the first federal judge for the Eastern District Court of Pennsylvania in 1789.
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Early Life and Education
Francis Hopkinson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on October 2, 1737. He went to the College of Philadelphia, which is now the University of Pennsylvania. He earned his first degree in 1757 and a master's degree in 1760. He was the first American-born person to compose a non-religious song in 1759.
In 1761, he worked as a secretary for a group that made a treaty with Native American tribes. From 1761 to 1766, he worked as a lawyer in Philadelphia. He also worked as a customs collector in Salem, New Jersey, in 1763.
Time in England and Return to America
From 1766 to 1767, Hopkinson visited England. He hoped to become a customs commissioner for North America but was not successful. While there, he met important people like future Prime Minister Lord North. He also spent time with his cousin, James Johnson, and the famous painter Benjamin West.
When he returned to Philadelphia in 1768, he became a merchant. He sold fabrics and port wine. That same year, he joined the American Philosophical Society. He served as the Society's Curator from 1776 to 1782. He also worked as a customs collector in New Castle, Delaware, from 1772 to 1773.
Public Service During the Revolution
From 1774 to 1776, Francis Hopkinson was a member of the New Jersey Provincial Council. He also served on the Executive Council of New Jersey from January to November 1775. In 1775, he was allowed to practice law before the Supreme Court of New Jersey. He was offered a job as a judge on that court in 1776 but turned it down.
Hopkinson was a delegate to the Second Continental Congress from June to November 1776. This is where he signed the United States Declaration of Independence. After that, he worked for the Navy Board in Philadelphia from 1776 to 1777. He also managed the Continental Loan Office in Philadelphia from 1778 to 1781. From 1779 to 1789, he was a judge for the Admiralty Court of Pennsylvania. He was also part of the Pennsylvania Convention that approved the U.S. Constitution.
Federal Judge Career
President George Washington chose Francis Hopkinson to be a judge for the United States District Court for the District of Pennsylvania. He was nominated on September 24, 1789. The United States Senate approved his appointment on September 26, 1789.
He served as a judge until his death on May 9, 1791. He died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from a sudden illness. He was buried in Christ Church Burial Ground in Philadelphia.
Family Life
Francis Hopkinson was the son of Thomas Hopkinson and Mary Johnson Hopkinson. He married Ann Borden on September 1, 1768. They had five children together. His son, Joseph Hopkinson, also became a federal judge and served in the United States House of Representatives.
Creative Contributions
Hopkinson was known for writing popular songs and funny political stories. These writings, including poems and pamphlets, were very popular. They helped people feel more strongly about gaining independence from Britain during the American Revolution. Some of his most famous writings include A Pretty Story . . . (1774), which made fun of King George, The Prophecy (1776), and The Political Catechism (1777).
He also wrote essays like "Typographical Method of conducting a Quarrel" and "Essay on White Washing." Many of his works were collected in a book called Miscellaneous Essays and Occasional Writings in 1792.
Musical Talents
Hopkinson started playing the harpsichord at age seventeen. He copied music from many European composers. In 1759, he wrote "My Days Have Been So Wondrous Free." This is considered the first song written by an American-born composer. By the 1760s, he was good enough to play with professional musicians.
Some of his well-known songs are "The Treaty," "The Battle of the Kegs," and "The New Roof, a song for Federal Mechanics." He also played the organ at Christ Church in Philadelphia. He composed or edited several hymns and psalms. In the 1780s, he changed a glass harmonica so it could be played with a keyboard. He also invented an instrument called the Bellarmonic, which used the sounds of metal balls.
One of the buildings at the University of Pennsylvania is named after him.
- Collection of Plain Tunes with a Few from Anthems and Hymns. Printed by Benjamin Carr, 1763.
- Temple of Minerva. (The First American Opera) Printed by Benjamin Carr, 1781.
- Seven Songs for the Harpsichord or Forte Piano. Printed by T. Dobson, 1788.
- No. 3: "Beneath a weeping willow's shade"
Designing American Symbols
Francis Hopkinson played a big role in designing several important American symbols.
Great Seal of the United States
In 1776, Hopkinson helped design the Great Seal of New Jersey. Later, he worked as a consultant for a committee designing the Great Seal of the United States. This seal was finalized on June 20, 1782.
The Great Seal of the United States has 13 stars that represent the original 13 states. These stars form a larger six-pointed star. This group of stars stands for the national motto, "E pluribus unum," which means "out of many, one." The original design had six-pointed stars, but this was changed in 1841. Today, this seal is on the back of the United States one-dollar bill.
The back of the seal has an unfinished pyramid with a glowing eye above it. Hopkinson had used the image of an unfinished pyramid when he designed the Continental $50 currency bill.
United States Flag
Francis Hopkinson is recognized as the designer of the Flag of the United States. On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress officially adopted the Stars and Stripes as the first national flag. Hopkinson was a member of the Continental Marine Committee and was the Chairman of the Navy Board at that time.
On May 25, 1780, Hopkinson wrote a letter to the Continental Board of Admiralty. He mentioned several patriotic designs he had created. These included the Board of Admiralty seal, which had a shield with seven red and six white stripes on a blue background. He also mentioned designs for the Treasury Board seal, seven designs for Continental Currency, and "the Flag of the United States of America."
Hopkinson asked for a reward for his work, suggesting "a Quarter Cask of the public Wine." This might seem funny today, but during the Revolutionary War, wine was a valuable payment. He later asked for cash, including £9 for the "great Naval Flag of the United States." This naval flag had red outer stripes to make it easier to see on ships at sea. He likely intended a similar national flag with white outer stripes.
The Treasury Board did not pay Hopkinson the full amount he asked for. They said he "was not the only person consulted on those exhibitions of Fancy." This likely referred to his work on the Great Seal, where he was a consultant, not the sole designer. However, there is no record of anyone else helping him design the national or naval flags.
No original sketch of Hopkinson's U.S. or naval flag exists today. But he included parts of his flag designs in his sketches for the Great Seal and the Admiralty Board Seal. His second Great Seal proposal sketch showed 7 white stripes and 6 red stripes. His Admiralty Board Seal had a chevron with 7 red stripes and 6 white stripes. These designs suggest his ideas for a government flag and a naval flag. The naval flag had more red stripes to be more visible at sea. Both flags were meant to have 13 stripes. Because the original stars on the Great Seal had six points, Hopkinson's U.S. flag might also have used six-pointed stars.
Images for kids
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Francis Hopkinson's flag for the U.S. Navy, an interpretation
See also
In Spanish: Francis Hopkinson para niños
