James Bowdoin
American leader during the American Revolution (1726-1790) · United States · On the map · Politicians · Died at 64
James Bowdoin II was an American politician from Boston, Massachusetts who was active during the American Revolution and the following decade. He initially gained fame and influence as a wealthy merchant. He served in both branches of the Massachusetts General Court from the 1750s to the 1770s.
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Photos 8
Portrait of Bowdoin as a child by John Smibert
Portrait of Elizabeth Erving by Robert Feke
Governor Francis Bernard
John Hancock (British mezzotint, 1775) was a perennial opponent of Bowdoin in matters political and personal.
James Bowdoin portrait
This contemporary woodcut depicts two of the rebel leaders, Daniel Shays and Job Shattuck.
Bowdoin's tomb in the Granary Burying GroundAwards
About this person
Although he was initially supportive of the royal governors, he opposed British colonial policy and eventually became an influential advocate of independence. He authored a highly political report on the 1770 Boston Massacre that has been described by historian Francis Walett as one of the most influential pieces of writing that shaped public opinion in the colonies.
