HOPKINSON, Francis (1737-1791), an American author, and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, was born at Philadelphia in 1737. He studied at the college of Philadelphia, and after graduating in 1763, rjsolved to prepare himself for the legal profession. After being admitted to the bar in 1765, he spent two years in England, and on his return in 1768 he obtained a lucrative public appointment in New Jersey. In 1776-77 he represented that State in Congress. In 1779 ho was appointed judge of admiralty for Pennsylvania, and in 1790 district judge for the same state. He died at Philadelphia 9th May 1791. Hopkinson was the author of several songs to which he wrote popular airs, and of various political poems, pamphlets, and jeux d'esprit, which from their humorous satire had a wide circulation, and powerfully assisted in arousing and fostering the spirit of political independence that issued in the American Revolution.

His principal writings are The Pretty Story, 1774; The Prophecy, 1776; The Political Catechism, 1777. Among his songs may be mentioned The Treaty, The Battle of the Kegs, and The New Roof, a Song for Federal Mechanics ; and the best known of his satirical pieces are Typographical Method of conducting a Quarrel, Essay on White Washing, and Modem Learning. His Miscellaneous Essays and Occasional Writings Were published at Philadelphia in 3 vols., 1792.