|
|
A History | Events Leading to the American Revolution |
Samuel Adams - American Patriot and Son of Liberty
Samuel Adams - American Patriot and Son of Liberty
1722-1803
A political leader in the American Revolution, signer of the Declaration of Independence, b. Boston, Mass.;
second cousin of John Adams. An unsuccessful businessman, he became interested in politics and was a member
(1765-74) and clerk (1766-74) of the lower house of the Massachusetts legislature. As colonial resistance to
British laws stiffened, Adams spoke for the discontented and replaced James Otis as leader of the extremists.
He drafted a protest against the Stamp Act in 1765 and was one of the organizers of the non-importation
agreement (1767) against Great Britain to force repeal of the Townshend Acts. He drew up the Circular Letter
to the other colonies, denouncing the acts as taxation without representation. More important, he used his able
pen in colonial newspapers and pamphlets to stir up sentiment against the British. His polemics helped to bring
about the Boston Massacre. With the help of such men as John Hancock he organized the revolutionary Sons of
Liberty and helped to foment revolt through the Committees of Correspondence. He was the moving spirit in the
Boston Tea Party. Gen. Thomas Gage issued (1775) a warrant for the arrest of Adams and Hancock, but they escaped
punishment and continued to stir up lethargic patriots. Samuel Adams was a member (1774-81) of the Continental
Congress, but after independence was declared his influence declined; the radical was replaced by more
conservative leaders, who tended to look upon Adams as an irresponsible agitator. He later served (1794-97) as
governor of Massachusetts. See writings ed. by H. A. Cushing (4 vol., 1904-08, repr. 1968); biographies
by J. C. Miller (1936, repr. 1960), S. Beach (1965), W. V. Wells (2d ed. 1969), and N. B. Gerson (1973).
Samuel Adams, The Rights of the Colonists
Additional Resources
Samuel Adams - Biography of Samuel Adams, the American revolutionary who founded the Committees of Correspondence, acted in the Boston Tea Party, and advocated independence from Britain.
Samuel Adams - First-hand accounts by Adams of events occurring in the American Revolution. Included are documents, official letters, editorials from newspapers, and family correspondence.
Samuel Adams - From Virtualology - A brief biography, including a handwriting sample.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
