James Otis 1725 – 1783

Biography

James Otis was born on February 5, 1725, in Barnstable, Massachusetts, during a time of great change in the American colonies. He devoted his life to the law, establishing himself as a respected lawyer in colonial Massachusetts. His legal career placed him at the center of important developments in his community and beyond, where his intellect and dedication to his profession earned him recognition among his peers.

On May 23, 1783, Otis’s life was cut short by a lightning strike in Andover. He was fifty-eight years old. His sudden and tragic death marked the end of a life spent in service through the legal profession during a formative era in American history.

James Otis was laid to rest at the Granary Burying Ground in Boston, a final resting place that reflected his standing in colonial society. Though his time on earth was finite, his legacy as a lawyer in Massachusetts endured, remembered by those who knew of his work and contributions to his profession and community.