Best Orators from Boston, Massachusetts During the American Revolution Era

American Revolution era Boston was the scene of some of the most important and provoking speeches, the United States has ever seen. There was no shortage of impassioned speakers in Boston at that time. However, some of them stood out amongst the crowd. Some of them even went on to be among the founding fathers of our nation. Here are four of the most famous.

John Hancock

John Hancock was an active and successful politician and merchant. During his heyday, he was the wealthiest merchant in all of Boston. He was also among the most respected-at least among his peers; the British occupants of Boston and the loyalists despised him. He was an ardent patriot who gave moving speeches. He was also the first man to sign the Declaration of Independence. He continued his work in politics throughout and after the American Revolution until his death.

John Hancock speech of note: Boston Massacre Oration, March 5, 1774

Memorable line from John Hancock speech: "Ye dark designing knaves, ye murderers, parricides! How dare you tread upon the earth which has drunk in the blood of slaughtered innocents, shed by your wicked hands?"
*Note: This speech is thought, by some, to have been written by Dr. Samuel Cooper

Samuel Adams

Samuel Adams was one of the most ardent orators from Boston during the American Revolution era. He was both respected and hated. His peers respected him, though some thought him pompous and the British hated him. In fact, his speeches did so much to incite rebellion that when a pardon was granted to all rebels who laid down their arms, only Samuel Adams and John Hancock were excluded. Of course, if any rebels took this offer, they were very few in number.

Samuel Adams speech of note: Regarding the Declaration of Independence, August 1, 1776

Memorable line from Samuel Adams speech: "The legions of our enemies thicken on our plains; desolation and death mark their bloody career; whilst the mangled corpses of our countrymen seem to cry out to us as a voice from Heaven."

James Otis

James Otis is one of the oft forgotten orators and heroes of American Revolution era Boston. He was a talented and fair-minded lawyer who went from loyalist to patriot because of the injustice of the writs of assistance. Unfortunately, his career as a lawyer was cut short due to mental illness, which was exacerbated by a beating he received over a rebellious piece he published in a newspaper. By the start of the American Revolution, James Otis was unable to care for himself. That did not stop him from sneaking away from his caretakers on June 17, 1775 so he could fight in the Battle of Bunker Hill. After the battle, he simply walked home.

James Otis speech of note: 5-hour-long argument against the writs of assistance

Memorable line from James Otis speech: "Now, one of the most essential branches of English liberty is the freedom of one's house. A man's house is his castle; and whilst he is quiet, he is as well guarded as a prince in his castle. This writ, if it should be declared legal, would totally annihilate this privilege."

Dr. Joseph Warren

Dr. Joseph Warren was one of the lost heroes of the American Revolution. He gave up his career as a prominent physician in Boston to become one of the most active patriots in all of Massachusetts. Sadly, he perished on June 17, 1775, after bravely fighting as a volunteer at the Battle of Bunker Hill.

Joseph Warren speech of note: Boston Massacre Oration, March 5, 1772

Memorable line from Joseph Warren Speech: "You here, my friends and countrymen, frustrated the designs of your enemies, by your unanimity and fortitude: it was your union and determined spirit which expelled those troops who polluted your streets with innocent blood."

These men left a mark on American history that can only be erased by total catastrophe. Their words and deeds will be remembered until there is no United States and possibly even longer. If you are American, next time you go to the grocery store and pay with dollars instead of pounds, think of these men, for surely without them and men like them, you would be British.

Sources

James Otis: Against the writs of assistance, retrieved 6/7/10, nhinet.org/css/docs/writs.htm

John Hancock's Boston Massacre Oration, retrieved 6/7/10, law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/bostonmassacre/hancockoration.html

Samuel Adams' Speech About the Declaration of Independence, retrieved 6/7/10, usa-patriotism.com/speeches/sadams1.htm

Boston Massacre Oration, retrieved 6/6/10, ahp.gatech.edu/boston_mass_orat_1772.html