Samuel Adams

Samuel Adams was an American statesman, political philosopher, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He is best known for his involvement in the early stages of the American Revolution as a leader in Boston's Sons of Liberty movement. Born into a prosperous merchant family in 1722, he graduated from Harvard College and later worked as a tax collector before becoming involved with politics. His strong opposition to British taxation helped spark public support for independence from Great Britain during the pre-Revolutionary period.


Adams served two terms as lieutenant governor of Massachusetts (1789–1793) and then became Governor until 1797, when he resigned due to poor health. During this time, he established several important precedents, such as introducing taxes on alcohol production, which would later be used by other states across America. As well as being instrumental in creating some of America's first laws regarding civil rights, including freedom of religion, speech, and the press; trial by jury; protection against cruel punishments, etc., Adams also wrote extensively about topics related to republicanism, such as how government should be structured or why citizens must remain vigilant against tyranny or despotism, etc. These writings have become key documents in understanding our nation's history today, especially during its formative years leading up to its declaration of independence from Great Britain on July 4th, 1776, whereupon it began its journey towards becoming an independent nation state under democratic principles that still guide us today.