Podcast Summary

Overview

Episode Title:
Brooke Barbier, "King Hancock: The Radical Influence of a Moderate Founding Father" (Harvard UP, 2023)

Podcast:
New Books in Biography, New Books Network

Host:
Mark Klovest

Guest:
Brooke Barbier

Episode Date:
December 2, 2025

Main Theme:
This episode explores Brooke Barbier’s new biography of John Hancock, King Hancock: The Radical Influence of a Moderate Founding Father. Barbier delves into how Hancock, a wealthy merchant with every reason to side with the British, became an influential—if moderate—Patriot leader. The discussion highlights Hancock’s personal and political complexities, his distinctive brand of performative politics, and his lasting historical legacy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Brooke Barbier’s Background and Inspiration for the Book

• Barbier’s academic roots: PhD in American History from Boston College, focus on the American Revolution in Boston.
• Tour experience as inspiration: Founding Ye Olde Tavern Tours led Barbier to frequent questions about Hancock, sparking her interest in bringing his full story into contemporary relevance.
  • “Every American knows him for his signature, but people know little else about him… I thought it was time to bring John Hancock into the 21st century.” (Brooke Barbier, 03:01)

2. Hancock’s Background and Upbringing

• Not born into wealth: He was the third John Hancock; his father and grandfather were ministers.
• Traumatic turning point: Father died when John was seven. Adopted by his wealthy uncle, Thomas Hancock, a prominent Boston businessman.
  • “It really changes his life's trajectory overnight.” (Brooke Barbier, 07:15)
• Difficult apprenticeship: Hancock inherited the business, but lacked natural business acumen and was thrust into politics by virtue of his new wealth and status.

3. Politics, Social Obligation, and Personality

• Politics as obligation: In 18th-century Boston, wealthy white men were expected to serve in politics.
  • “It was basically the responsibility of his station to serve in that role.” (Mark Klovest, 12:11)
• Hancock as a showman: He relished public attention, enjoyed entertaining, and embraced the performative side of politics.
  • “That was the best part of this for him, was the attention that he got.” (Brooke Barbier, 13:35)
• Contrast to others: Hancock was sociable and glad-handing, unlike George Washington’s aloofness.

4. Merchant and Moderate: Navigating Revolution and Interests

• Economic realities: Hancock’s business depended on British trade. He led and participated in boycotts when politically necessary but resumed trade as soon as possible.
  • “As soon as it was politically viable, Hancock began resuming trade again.” (Brooke Barbier, 19:01)
• Key role in colonial protest: Boycotts of the Townshend Acts required united colonial front—novel at the time.
• Moderation as strategy: Hancock walked a fine line—supporting Patriot protest enough to maintain popular and political support, but pulling back when possible.
  • “He has seen firsthand other wealthy men like him have their homes and properties targeted… So he knows that he has to seem or… chooses to rebel against parliamentary taxes. But he's not all in always opposing the British Empire.” (Brooke Barbier, 21:51)

5. Withdrawal from and Return to Politics

• Personal toll of politics: After the Boston Massacre and a period of unrest, Hancock withdrew from politics, focusing on business and his personal life.
  • “Hancock takes this complete break from politics for a few years and really wants to focus back on his business.” (Brooke Barbier, 23:34)
• Marriage to Dorothy Quincy: During relative calm, Hancock meets and marries Dorothy Quincy.
• Back to the fray with the Tea Act: The 1773 Tea Act directly threatened his business interests, prompting his reentry into political action and cooperation with Samuel Adams.
  • “He gets involved again and in fact, in this very unlikely pairing, teams up with Samuel Adams to oppose the Tea Act.” (Brooke Barbier, 26:40)

6. The Boston Tea Party and Escalation to War

• Role in the Tea Party: Hancock did not participate directly, but helped rally support. His prominence made plausible deniability possible but his actions and speeches were noticed by the British.
• “King Hancock”: The nickname used by British officers after the Tea Party, which became a badge of colonial pride.
  • “It was King Hancock and the Damned Sons of Liberty.” (British Officer, cited by Barbier, 28:55)

7. Revolutionary Leadership and the Outbreak of War

• Hancock becomes a symbol: His prominence makes him a target—his home is looted after he flees Boston.
  • “He puts his name on the line. Even before 1776, July 4th in 1774, he is the president of this other government, and so he’s really putting himself out there.” (Brooke Barbier, 35:26)
• President of the Provincial Congress: From 1774, making him the central Patriot authority in Massachusetts.
• Lexington and Concord: Hancock’s presence is central to British plans and the mythology of the Revolution.
  • “Colonists were crying out for King Hancock… tells you how much he has seeped into the consciousness of Massachusetts.” (Brooke Barbier, 36:31)

8. National Stage and the Declaration of Independence

• President of the Continental Congress: Elevated due to wealth, Patriot credentials, and symbolism of being a British target.
  • “Hancock is actually the perfect choice because he is wealthy… but he has the patriot and rebel bona fides, too.” (Brooke Barbier, 37:33)
• Role in independence: Despite his reputation, Hancock was moderate in calling for independence and moved slowly, like Benjamin Franklin.
• Signature’s symbolism: Hancock’s bold signature solidified his association with the Declaration.

9. Contribution During the War and Later Career

• Entertainer and unifier: Hancock’s role in welcoming French allies was crucial to cementing the alliance.
• Popular politician: First elected governor of Massachusetts (1780); returned to office after Shays’ Rebellion due to popular support and charisma.
  • “One has charisma and an innate sense for what the people want and need... and that one’s King Hancock.” (Brooke Barbier, 44:40)

10. Legacy

• Notable for signature: The idea of “putting your John Hancock” on something emerges after wide reproduction of the Declaration, decades later.
  • “Americans were so taken with this, with his signature... He's the president, so it's right in the center there, it's bigger than everyone else's.” (Brooke Barbier, 48:43)
• Historical misremembering: Many of Hancock’s accomplishments are overshadowed by the signature, yet in his era, his prominence was undisputed.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Hancock’s paradoxical position:
  “He's a man of means. He's a man whose business depends upon the ties with the Empire, the ties with Britain… And yet he becomes not just a Founding Father, but he becomes someone who… singles himself out for possible retribution should the revolution fail.”
  —Mark Klovest, 03:12

• On Hancock as moderate:
  “He’s this man of kind of contradictions... Has the finest fashions and he's so wealthy, but he's a friend to the, to the lower, the lower orders... Even though he's famous, as you said, for this signature... he was actually quite moderate.”
  —Brooke Barbier, 04:22

• On the performative side of politics:
  “He rolled out casks of wine to celebrate the Stamp Act repeal… greeted everyone with cheerfulness and then he paid for a fireworks display that night.”
  —Brooke Barbier, 13:46

• On boycotts as innovation and challenge:
  “In 1767, this is a really novel idea to have the 13 colonies work together… but Boston merchants, including John Hancock, proposed a boycott in 1768...”
  —Brooke Barbier, 18:09

• On public perception post-Declaration:
  “The insult had been appropriated, and on the day the Revolutionary War began, colonists were crying out for King Hancock. And so that just tells you... how important he was to the people, even if it was just as a symbol...”
  —Brooke Barbier, 36:31

• On Hancock’s enduring fame:
  “He was one of the most popular Americans… when they made a copy of that one printed copy of the Declaration of Independence... that's when he starts to become associated with his signature.”
  —Brooke Barbier, 47:05

• On historical memory:
  “His other accomplishments politically get forgotten for this one signature. And I say at the end of the book, I think he would take that trade... Hancock wants to be remembered, so if it’s for his signature, he’ll take it.”
  —Brooke Barbier, 49:20

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Topic | |-----------|-------| | 01:54 | Barbier’s background (PhD, tours, interest in Hancock) | | 03:12 | Why Hancock's position was “anomalous” among Patriots | | 06:20 | Hancock’s family background and life-changing adoption | | 10:37 | The nature of Boston’s politics and the role of wealthy men | | 13:38 | Hancock as a political showman and entertainer | | 15:42 | The impact of taxes (Sugar Act, Stamp Act, Townshend Acts) | | 18:09 | The innovation and challenge of intercolonial boycotts | | 21:51 | Hancock’s moderation—balancing business, protest, and status | | 23:46 | Personal toll and stepping away from politics | | 24:32 | Meeting Dorothy Quincy and rekindling political involvement | | 28:55 | "King Hancock" and his symbolic status after the Tea Party | | 31:22 | Provincial Congress, Lexington and Concord, war’s outbreak | | 35:26 | Hancock as a public target, symbolism, and loss | | 37:27 | Continental Congress and his path to the Declaration | | 39:04 | Hancock’s moderate position on independence, like Franklin | | 40:23 | Hancock’s wartime role entertaining French allies | | 42:14 | Popularity and election as governor | | 44:34 | Contrasts with James Bowdoin after Shays’ Rebellion | | 46:14 | Legacy, signature, and the making of public memory | | 49:35 | Barbier’s next book project |

Conclusion

Brooke Barbier’s biography positions John Hancock as a crucial, if misunderstood, force behind the American Revolution—a moderate whose wealth, charisma, and sense of timing helped unite diverse factions in Boston and beyond. He was a showman, a compromiser, and a survivor whose willingness to play his part (and enjoy the limelight) helped shape the Patriot cause and, ultimately, America’s founding. His signature may have eclipsed his story, but Barbier’s work—and this interview—highlight his real and enduring influence.

Upcoming Works:
Barbier’s next book, Cocked: An Intoxicating History of the American Revolution, explores the influence of alcohol on the Revolution and is available for pre-order.