biography
| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1722–1803)
|
| biography:
| American politician and Revolutionary leader, born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. A second cousin to John Adams, he studied law, failed at several business enterprises, became a tax collector, then devoted himself to politics. One of the first and most outspoken colonists to oppose British laws and policies, in the Massachusetts legislature (1765–74) he promoted corresponding with other colonies' leaders, wrote newspaper articles criticizing British rule, organized opposition to the Stamp Act in 1765, and composed and circulated a declaration of colonists' rights. He helped organize the Boston Tea Party (1773) and by 1774 was advocating open resistance to Britain. He served in the First and Second Continental Congress and signed the Declaration of Independence. At first he backed George Washington as commander-in-chief, but he criticized what he thought was an overly cautious pursuit of the war. Regarded as too radical by many, he resigned from Congress in 1781, but supported the Federal Constitution of 1787. He was lieutenant-governor of Massachusetts (1789–94), then governor (1794–7). |
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