Adams, Samuel. An illustrious patriot of Boston, and one of the most prominent figures of the American Revolution, was born in Boston, 1722, and died, 1803. Before entering political life he was a maltster. He was probably the first public man among the colonists to foresee that separation and independence were inevitable, and he may justly be called the Father of the Declaration of Independence. Henry Cabot Lodge says of Adams: "In declaring for independence, Massachusetts led the thirteen colonies, Boston led Massachusetts, and Samuel Adams led Boston."