Samuel Adams was born in Boston on September 27, 1972. His early life was likely filled with politics, as his father, Samuel Adams Sr. was a prominent member of Boston society. Young Adams graduated from Harvard and was advised by many to pursue law. Rather than listen to the advice he was given, Adams pursued business for a time. After repeated failures he left this behind to pursue other dreams.
During the end of his years as a businessman, Adams began to be involved in local politics. He led debates, wrote articles, and eventually became one of Boston’s tax collectors. Following the passing of the Stamp Act, Adams began to voice greater opposition to taxation without representation. He participated in the Sons of Liberty and presided over the meeting that preceded the Boston Tea Party.
As one of the most influential political writers of the time, Adams played a role in converting many to the cause of independence. Due to the widespread influence of his words, one of General Thomas Gages objectives was to capture Adams, along with John Hancock and others. The expedition to Lexington and Concord by the British in April of 1775 was designed in part to fulfill this goal. A few months later, when Gage issued a proclamation of pardon, he specifically excluded Adams and Hancock.
Adams was elected to the Continental Congress, where he continued to lobby for absolute independence from the British government. He signed the Declaration of Independence and worked relentlessly to protect colonial independence. Later in his life, Adams was a member of the Massachusetts convention that met to ratify the United States Constitution. When he first read the Constitution, he was opposed to it due to the consolidated government it created. Eventually he was swayed by his constituents and others to support the Constitution and was likely the reason it was ratified by the state of Massachusetts.
Adams was eventually both Lieutenant Governor and Governor in Massachusetts. Following his many years of dedicated public service, Adams died in 1803 at the age of 81.
Additional Resources
Samuel Adams Biography & Facts – AmericanRevolution.org
Samuel Adams, Biography, Facts, Significance, Founding Father
