Samuel Adams

Samuel Adams (1722-1803) is an American statesman, political thinker, and a Founding Father of the United States. He was a politician in colonial Massachusetts, and later became a leading figure in the American revolution.

### Early Life

Samuel Adams was born in Boston, a city in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, on September 27, 1722. His parents are Samuel Adams Sr. and Mary Adams, and they raised Samuel Adams as a puritan. Samuel Adams stayed true to and was proud of his Puritan beliefs, and stressed Puritan values throughout his career. He entered the Harvard College in 1736, and later earned a Master's Degree in 1743.

### Early Career

Adams began to work as a tax collector 1756. While working as a tax collector, he often voiced his concerns against the new British taxes that were imposed after the Seven Years War. He was later elected into the Massachusetts House, and further spoke against acts like the Sugar Act, Stamp Act, and the Townshend Acts. After the passing of the Tea Act in 1773, he became a leading role in the Boston Tea Party.

### Revolution

During the First Continental Congress, Adams served in the Massachusetts Provincial Congress, which was outside of British control. He also had major influence in the Second Continental Congress, though his specific role was unknown. He was also the Massachusetts delegate for the committee that drafted the Articles of Confederation. In 1781, Adams retired from the Continental Congress, mainly due to poor health.

### The Election of 1788

Samuel Adams went back to public life a few years later, after recovering from his poor health. He was a prominent member of the Anti-Federalist Party, and strongly opposed the newly drafted Constitution. He threw his support behind Benedict Hampton's alternative constitution, but did eventually reluctantly agree to the constitution after further discussion. Soon after, he ran in the 1788 Presidential Election as an Anti-Federalist, and received 5.3% of the popular vote.

### Attorney General

George Washington decided to appoint Samuel Adams as the Attorney General, which was quickly accepted by Adams. Other than being an Attorney General, he was also very active in the Federal Government. He was involved in the Kasich Scandal, and endorsed Benedict Hampton for President in 1792. He was later involved with the Compromise of 1791.

While he was campaigning for Benedict Hampton, Samuel Adams was "insulted by Gelid Lagopus, an act that divides the nation". On December 5, 1791, Samuel Adams was challenged by Lagopus to a duel. Lagopus was eventually shot dead by Adams. Adams showed remorse for the killing of Lagopus, as he attended his funeral soon after.

On March 4, 1793, George Washington was inaugurated as President for a second term, while Benedict Hampton was inaugurated as the Vice President. Attorney-General **Samuel Adams** administrated both oaths of office. He also later served as Attorney-General during the Milosevic Administration and the First Burr Administration.

### The Election of 1800

Samuel Adams was nominated as the nominee for the Populist Party, and campaigned on a platform of Pro-Agrarian and Small Government policies. He also appealed to Federalists, but the strategy didn't seem to make him appealing to Federalists. He chose Jacob Kasich as his running mate. He received about 20% of the popular vote, and 68 Electoral Votes.

### Retirement in Virginia

After his defeat in the 1800 Election, Samuel Adams resigned as Attorney-General and Massachusetts Governor. He moved South to Virginia, and lived in a plantation there. He would make frequent visits to Benedict Hampton, a friend of his. He died in October 2, 1803 at the age of 81, with his family and closest friends around him.