Francis Hopkinson was a musician, poet, artist, satirist, inventor, jurist, writer, and true Renaissance man of the American Revolution.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Hopkinson was the eldest of eight children and the son of a prominent political leader. He graduated in the first class of the College of Philadelphia (now the University of Pennsylvania), studied law, and opened a legal practice in New Jersey. After marrying in 1768, he became a customs collector in New Castle, Delaware.

In 1776, Hopkinson represented New Jersey in the Continental Congress, and later held several government posts, including chairman of the Continental Navy Board, treasurer of loans, and judge of the admiralty court of Pennsylvania.

Hopkinson expressed his patriotism through music, satire, and poetry. His 1759 composition, “My Days Have Been So Wondrous Free,” is considered the first secular song by an American. He also authored “Temple of Minerva” in 1781, recognized as America’s first opera. Hopkinson was also a harpsichordist, church organist, and prolific essayist whose works supported the cause of independence.

In his allegorical piece “The New Roof,” Hopkinson described the Constitution as a structure that strengthened the weakened framework of the Articles of Confederation, portraying the founding generation as architects who saved the building.

Hopkinson is also credited by some historians with designing an early version of the American flag. He became one of the young nation’s best-known writers before his death in Philadelphia on May 9, 1791.