Adams was born on September 27, 1772,and went to Harvard College. After leaving college in 1740, he was a law student and a clerk in a counting house, and a merchant. His business failed and he then became a partner with his father in a brewery. This enterprise also failed after his father died. Meanwhile, he had been an active participant in Boston political circles. In 1756 he was elected tax collector of Boston, a position held for …showed first 75 words of 595 total…

…showed last 75 words of 595 total…strong national government impeded mobilization of the nation for a speed victory over Great Britain. His popularity and efectivenss as a leader gradually waned. In 1779, Adams was a member of the committee that drafted the Massachusetts state constitution and he was instrumental also in securing the ratification by Massachusetts of the U.S. Constitution in 1788. He was lieutenant governor of Massachusetts from 1789 to 1793 and governor from 1749 to 1797. He died in Boston on October 2, 1803. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography**