Two of the most influential Bostonians were Dr. Joseph Warren, and lawyer, James Otis.

James Otis — Otis might be credited with starting the revolution in the hearts of Bostonians – in 1761.

Otis was an Advocate General for Parliament, responsible for enforcing Great Britain’s laws in the Colony. But when Parliament overstepped their authority, Otis quit his job and took Parliament to court.

Otis had a reputation as a firebrand and he held forth for four hours on the unconstitutionality of the Writs of Assistance, a law that allowed customs officials to conduct unwarranted searches. Otis lost his case, he was doomed from the onset because of the mutual hatred between him and the judge. But, the young lawyer and future President, John Adams proclaimed after the trial that there was not a person present in the courtroom who was not ready to take up arms… “Then and there, the child of Liberty was born”.

Why don’t we know more about Otis? His full story is revealed on my tour!

Dr. Joseph Warren, like fellow revolutionaries, Samuel Adams and John Hancock, was a start student at Harvard College where he learned the art of debate. He became a skillful speaker at rallies decrying British rule and was a leader of the movement to separate from Great Britain. He was also very well connected, through the multiple club memberships and medical patients, among whom were the leaders of British government and military. This put him in a perfect position to collect intelligence. If you ever wondered how Paul Revere knew when to sound the alarm that British Regulars were marching on Concord, look no further that Dr. Warren. Warren was so popular a leader that many though he would have become the first President of the new nation. But this was the son of a man who said “I’d rather my sons dead than cowards.” Warren gave his life in service to the cause of independence on a hillside in June 1775 and faded from our history books and memory in favor of those who were fortunate enough to survive.