James Otis
James Otis was born in Barnstable, Massachusetts, in 1725. He graduated from Harvard College when he was eighteen years of age. Otis read law with Mr. Gridley. He settled in Plymouth, and became one of the most brilliant lights of the profession. He was an uncompromising and fearless opposer of British wrongs and an able and unwavering advocate of American rights. In 1761, he appeared before the judges of the Supreme Court in defense of the people against the writs of assistance. His logic, eloquence, and boldness astonished all who heard him. He insulated the people with patriotic fire. Among others, he was listened to by John Adams, who often remarked that " Independence was then and there born." He was the first man who placed his name on a bold and vigorous pamphlet he wrote and published, exposing the innovations of the British ministry upon the chartered rights of the Colonies. He was threatened with arrest, which only roused him to more vigilant action in defense of human rights. He was a member of the Congress that convened in New York in 1765. During that year, he wrote " Rights of the Colonies Vindicated " that was published in London. He was of a warm temperament, impulsive, if hard pressed, and was so times harsh in his language. He was lashed severely by the ministerial organs, which caused him to publish pungent strictures upon the conduct of several of the crown officers. Soon after these appeared, he was attacked in a public room by a band of British ruffians led by customs house commissioner Robinson, who nearly killed him on September 5, 1769. So much was he injured that his reason soon fled forever. He obtained a judgment of $20,000 against Robinson for the assault and relinquished it on receiving a written apology.His towering mental powers broke until he became a mental wreck. The repeated blows upon his head had permanently deranged his brain. Occasional lucid flashes would pass over his mind like brilliant meteors and pass as quickly away. He had often expressed a wish that he would be killed by lightning. That desire was granted on May 23, 1783, while leaning on his cane at the door of Mr. Osgood.