James Otis Jr.
James Otis Jr. was an American lawyer, politician, and activist who was an early supporter of patriotic causes in the Province of Massachusetts Bay at the beginning of the American Revolution. Otis was a fervent opponent of the writs of assistance introduced in 1761 which allowed law enforcement officials to search private property without cause.
Career Journey
Background
- Born in
- Barnstable
- Educated at
- Harvard University
Trending & Selected Quotes
Trending topics shown first"ALL PRECEDENTS ARE UNDER THE CONTROUL OF THE PRINCIPLES OF THE LAW … No Acts of Parliament can establish such a writ : … it would be void, "AN ACT AGAINST THE CONSTITUTION IS VOID." Vid. Viner. But … …"
"The only principles of public conduct that are worthy of a gentleman or a man are to sacrifice estate, ease, health, and applause, and even life, to the sacred calls of his country."
"If life, liberty, and property could be enjoyed in as great perfection in solitude as in society, there would be no need of government."
"… trade … is the most shocking violation of the law of nature, has a direct tendency to diminish … liberty, and makes every dealer in it a tyrant, from the director of an African company to the petty …"
"Now, one of the most essential branches of English liberty is the freedom of one's house. A man's house is his castle; and whilst he is quiet, he is as well guarded as a prince in his castle."
Works & Publications
No works or publications documented yet.
Timeline
1725
Born
Birth1783
Died
Death
Influenced By
Thinkers whose ideas shaped James's philosophy
No known influences documented.
Influenced
Thinkers whose work was shaped by James's ideas
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Source Attribution
Information about James Otis Jr. is sourced from curated knowledge bases and cross-referenced for accuracy. Influence relationships are scored by thematic overlap and historical plausibility.
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