Art in the U.S. Capitol



John Hanson 1715-1783



Given by Maryland to the National Statuary Hall Collection



                          Born in Charles County, Maryland, on April 3,

                          1715, John Hanson became one of the strongest

 Bronze by Richard E.     colonial advocates of independence. While

 Brooks.                  serving in the Maryland Assembly from 1757 to

 Given in 1903;           1773 he was active in raising troops and

 located in Senate        providing arms. Hanson served as a delegate to

 connecting corridor.     the Continental Congress in 1779, where he

                          helped to resolve the western lands issue,

                          thereby facilitating the ratification of the

                          Articles of Confederation.



                          From 1781 to 1782 he was "President of the

                          United States in Congress Assembled" under the

                          Articles of Confederation. As the presiding

                          officer of Congress, Hanson was responsible for

                          initiating a number of programs that helped

                          American gain a world position. During his

                          tenure the first consular service was

                          established, a post office department was

                          initiated, a national bank was chartered,

                          progress was made towards taking the first

                          census, and a uniform system of coinage was

                          adopted. As "President," Hanson also signed a

                          treaty with Holland affirming the indebtedness

                          of the United States for a loan from that

                          country. In addition, he signed all laws,

                          regulations, official papers, and letters.



                          Hanson died on November 15, 1783, at the age of

                          68. His contributions to the government under

                          the Articles of Confederation were absorbed by

                          the new federal government.



Architect of the Capitol, Office of the Curator



This page created January 15, 1997



URL: http://www.aoc.gov/art/nshpages/hanson.htm