During his astonishingly varied fifty-year career in public life he held almost every possible position—from deputy county attorney to President of the Continental Congress. Besides signing the Declaration of Independence, he contributed significantly to the development and establishment of constitutional government in both his home state of Delaware and the nation.
McKean also helped draft — and signed — the Articles of Confederation. It was during his tenure of service as President of the Continental Congress — from July 10, 1781 to November 4, 1782 — when news arrived from General Washington in October 1781 that the British had surrendered following the Battle of Yorktown.