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People of the Revolutionary War | Patriots of the American Revolution | Samuel Adams
Samuel Adams (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.
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