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Secondary sourceBook1865

The Life and Public Services of Samuel Adams

William V. Wells · 1865

An 1865 biography of Samuel Adams written by his great-grandson, drawing on family papers.

A biography of Samuel Adams written by his own great-grandson using family papers.

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About this source

What it is

This book, written in 1865 by William V. Wells, is a biography of Samuel Adams based on family papers passed down to his great-grandson. It traces Adams's life and his role in the American Revolution.

Why it matters

Because the author was a descendant of Adams with access to private family documents, the biography offers details and perspectives not available in other sources, though it was written decades after Adams's death and reflects the views of his admiring family.

Look closer

  • Why might a descendant's biography differ from one written by an outsider?
  • What advantages and risks come from using family papers as sources?
  • What might the author have wanted readers to think about Samuel Adams?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Samuel Adams on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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