Harvard and the American Revolution

John Adams graduated from Harvard College in 1755.

In a letter relating his thoughts on the way to the Harvard entrance exam, Adams said he was “terrified at the Thought of introducing myself to such great Men as the President and fellows of a Colledge, I at first resolved to return home: but forseeing the Grief of my father . . . I aroused my self, and collected Resolution enough to proceed.”

Read more about John Adams at Harvard

Samuel Adams received a bachelor’s degree from Harvard College in 1740.

Adams’ parents hoped he would go into the ministry, but while at Harvard he became interested in politics. After graduating, he continued his studies, earning a master’s degree in 1743. In his thesis, he argued that it was “lawful to resist the Supreme Magistrate, if the Commonwealth cannot otherwise be preserved,” indicating his political view of colonial rights.

See Samuel Adams’ portrait at the Harvard Art Museums

John Hancock received a bachelor’s degree from Harvard College in 1754.

Twenty years after his graduation, Hancock became Harvard Treasurer. Halfway through his term he left Cambridge for the Continental Congress and stopped providing the required annual financial report, but was unwilling to give up his position at Treasurer. The corporation sent him a letter explaining in detail exactly how he repeatedly failed to meet the job responsibilities. He was replaced as Treasurer in 1777, and his successor spent years trying to restore order to the accounts that Hancock left in chaos.

Elbridge Gerry graduated from Harvard College in 1762. He then went on to receive a master’s degree in 1765, and his dissertation argued that the colonies should resist the recently passed Stamp Act.

In 1786, Gerry acquired a home in Cambridge, Massachusetts built by Harvard graduate Thomas Oliver. This house, called Elmwood, was the family home until the death of Elbridge in 1814. Elmwood has served as the Harvard President’s house since 1971.

Learn more about Elmwood

Robert Treat Paine graduated from Harvard College in 1749, and then explored a variety of career paths before ultimately committing to practicing law.

Paine’s involvement in provincial politics began in 1770, when the town of Boston asked him to assist in the prosecution of the Boston Massacre trials alongside his friend Samuel Quincy. At the Continental Congress, Paine, who opposed nearly every measure that was proposed, got the nickname “the objection maker.”

Read more about Paine at the Congress

William Ellery graduated from Harvard College in 1747.

Benjamin Rush, who wrote “characters” of the men who signed the Declaration of Independence, described Ellery as “a lawyer, somewhat cynical in his temper, but a faithful friend to the liberties of his country.” He added that Ellery didn’t often speak in Congress, but amused himself by writing epigrams on the other members “which were generally witty and pertinent, and sometimes poetical.”

Read other notes from Benjamin Rush

William Williams graduated from Harvard College in 1751.

After the first anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Williams recorded his dislike of the celebrations in Philadelphia. He wrote to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr. that the day was “poorly spent in celebrating the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. A great Expenditure of Liquor, Powder &c took up the Day & Candles thro the City, good part of the night, I suppose.”

Read more about the first anniversary

William Hooper graduated from Harvard College in 1760. His father hoped he would pursue a career in the clergy, but Hooper decided to go into law instead.

Benjamin Rush, who wrote “characters” of the men who signed the Declaration of Independence, described Hooper as “a sensible sprightly young lawyer and a rapid but correct speaker.”

Read other notes from Benjamin Rush