The rumor that John Hanson was the first Black president of the United States spreads across social media with remarkable speed. This viral claim merges two completely different historical figures into a single fictional narrative: an 18th-century white Maryland politician who presided over the Continental Congress, and a 19th-century Black Liberian politician of the same name.
Understanding how this myth gained traction requires looking closely at actual American history, the structure of the early government, and the real lives of the men behind the rumor.
The Origins of the John Hanson Myth
How did a colonial-era merchant and a Liberian senator become fused into a single internet legend? The confusion relies on a mix of photographic misidentification, historical misunderstanding, and deliberate internet folklore.
Proponents of the myth often point to a portrait of a man on the back of the American two-dollar bill, claiming the engraved figure is a Black John Hanson. In reality, that engraving depicts Robert Morris, a founding father and signer of the Declaration of Independence, rendered in shadow due to 19th-century intaglio printing techniques.
Furthermore, the myth conflates two distinct historical individuals who lived decades apart:
- The White John Hanson (1721–1783): A white merchant, planter, and politician from Maryland who served in the Continental Congress.
- The Black John Hanson (1791–1860): A formerly enslaved man from Maryland who bought his freedom, migrated to Liberia, and became a prominent 19th-century senator in West Africa.
Who Was the White John Hanson?
The first historical figure, John Hanson of Maryland, lived during the American Revolution. He served as a delegate to the Continental Congress beginning in 1780 and signed the Articles of Confederation.
In November 1781, Congress elected him as the "President of the United States in Congress Assembled". This title causes frequent confusion among modern readers. Under the Articles of Confederation—the precursor to the U.S. Constitution—the executive branch as we know it today did not exist.
Hanson's role was strictly ceremonial and administrative. He acted as a presiding officer over congressional meetings, much like a modern Speaker of the House or Senate President Pro Tempore. He held no veto power, commanded no military forces, and lacked any independent executive authority. Several other men held this exact position before and after him, including Samuel Huntington and Thomas McKean.
Who Was the Black John Hanson?
The second historical figure, the Black John Hanson, was born into slavery in Baltimore around 1791. After securing his freedom, he worked as a merchant.
During the early 19th century, organizations like the American Colonization Society facilitated the migration of free African Americans to Liberia. Hanson emigrated to Monrovia in 1827. There, he established himself as a successful businessman and entered politics, eventually winning election to the Liberian Senate. He lived out his life in West Africa, passing away in 1860. He never held political office in the United States, let alone the presidency.
Why the Distinction Matters
History thrives on accuracy, and blurring the lines of the nation's foundational governance distorts how the country evolved.
The executive office of the President of the United States was established by Article II of the U.S. Constitution, which took effect in 1789. George Washington remains universally recognized as the first president under that constitution.
When viral posts claim that a Black man served as the nation's first chief executive in the 1780s, they misrepresent both the constitutional limitations of the Continental Congress and the real, documented history of African American political milestones. The first African American to hold the highest executive office in the United States was Barack Obama, elected in 2008.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did George Washington serve under John Hanson?
No. While George Washington communicated with John Hanson regarding military and state affairs during the Revolutionary War, Washington did not serve under him. Hanson's position in Congress was administrative, and military generals answered to the collective body of Congress rather than its presiding officer.
Is John Hanson featured on any U.S. currency?
No. The claim that John Hanson appears on the two-dollar bill is a persistent urban legend. The vignette on the back of the bill portrays the presentation of the Declaration of Independence, featuring a group of delegates painted by John Trumbull, with Robert Morris frequently mistaken for Hanson due to printing contrasts.
Why do some sources call John Hanson the "first president"?
Overzealous biographers and descendants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries attempted to elevate Hanson's status by arguing that his one-year term under the Articles of Confederation made him the true inaugural president. Historians widely reject this argument because Hanson possessed none of the constitutional powers associated with the modern presidency.
Who was the actual first African American to run for president?
The first Black candidate to run a prominent campaign for U.S. president was Victoria Woodhull in 1872, though 黨 and later major party milestones followed much later. Among major party candidates, Shirley Chisholm sought the Democratic nomination in 1972, and Barack Obama won the presidency in 2008.
