HANSON, JOHN American patriot, was born in Charles county, Md., on Apr. 3, 1715, and educated in Eng land. He became a political leader of note in Maryland, serving in the house of delegates, 1 7 5 7-81, upon many important com mittees during the Revolutionary War, and as a representative of Maryland in the Continental Congress, 1781-83. On Nov. 5, 1781, he was elected by the Continental Congress "President of the United States in Congress Assembled," which office he held one year and resigned on account of feeble health. Because he was the first President under the Articles of 'Confederation he is sometimes referred to as "the first president of the United States," although he had none of the powers of the first president under the Constitution. He died at Oxen Hills, Md., on Nov. 27, 1783.