Difference between revisions of "Joseph Warren" - New World Encyclopedia
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| + | [[Image:The_death_of_general_warren_at_the_battle_of_bunker_hill.jpg|thumb|right|350px|''The death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775'' by [[John Trumbull]]]] | ||
| + | Dr. '''Joseph Warren''' (June 11, 1741 – June 17, 1775) was an [[United States|American]] doctor and soldier, remembered for playing a leading role in [[Patriot (American Revolution)|American Patriot]] organizations in [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]] and for his death as a volunteer [[private soldier]]—as his appointment to the office of [[general officer|general]] was pending—while also serving as chief executive of the revolutionary [[Massachusetts]] government. | ||
| − | + | Born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, Warren pursued medical studies at [[Harvard]], later becoming a teacher and then a doctor. An active member of the [[Sons of Liberty]], he began associating with pro-indepenence leaders and advocating resistance to the British, and attained the highest position in the revolutionary government | |
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| − | Born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, Warren pursued medical studies at Harvard, later becoming a teacher and then a doctor. An active member of the Sons of Liberty, he began associating with | ||
| − | After the 1770 [[Boston Massacre]], Warren was a member of the committee informing the colonial governor that British troops must be recalled, and who dispatched [[Paul Revere]], [[William Davis]], and [[Samuel Prescott]] on their famous 1775 ride. He fought at [[Bunker Hill]] and was killed while rallying retreating militia. | + | After the 1770 [[Boston Massacre]], Warren was a member of the committee informing the colonial governor that British troops must be recalled, and who dispatched [[Paul Revere]], [[William Davis]], and [[Samuel Prescott]] on their famous 1775 ride. He fought at [[Bunker Hill]] and was killed while rallying retreating militia. He is remembered as a hero and early martyr of the cause of the [[American Revolution]]. |
==Life and career== | ==Life and career== | ||
| − | Warren was born in [[Roxbury, Massachusetts]], to Joseph Warren and Mary (Stevens) Warren. His father was a respected farmer who was killed instantly in October 1755 when he fell off a ladder while gathering fruit in his orchard. After attending the [[Roxbury Latin School]], he studied medicine at [[Harvard University]], graduating in 1759 and then teaching for a time at Roxbury Latin. He married 18-year-old heiress Elizabeth Hooten on September 6, 1764 | + | [[Image:Joseph warren.gif|thumb|right|Joseph Warren]] |
| + | Warren was born in [[Roxbury, Massachusetts]], to Joseph Warren and Mary (Stevens) Warren. His father was a respected farmer who was killed instantly in October 1755 when he fell off a ladder while gathering fruit in his orchard. After attending the [[Roxbury Latin School]], he studied medicine at [[Harvard University]], graduating in 1759 and then teaching for a time at Roxbury Latin. He married 18-year-old heiress Elizabeth Hooten on September 6, 1764. She died in 1772, leaving him with four children. | ||
| − | While practicing medicine and surgery in [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]], | + | While practicing medicine and surgery in [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]], Warren joined the [[Freemasonry|Freemasons]] and eventually was appointed as a Grand Master. He became involved in politics, associating with [[John Hancock]], [[Samuel Adams]], and other pro-independence leaders. He became active in the [[Sons of Liberty]], and was appointed chairman of the Massachusetts [[Committee of Correspondence]]. He drafted the [[Suffolk Resolves]], which were endorsed by the [[Continental Congress]], to advocate resistance to the British. He was then appointed president of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress, the highest position in the revolutionary government. |
| − | + | After receiving intelligence about British troop movements, Warren sent [[William Dawes]] and [[Paul Revere]] on their famous "midnight rides" on April 18, 1775, to warn [[Lexington]] and [[Concord]] of British raids. Several historians believe that his source for this information [[Margaret Gage]], the wife of General [[Thomas Gage]], commander in chief of the North American forces from 1763 to 1775. During the [[Battle of Lexington and Concord]] on April 19, Warren coordinated and led militia into the fight alongside American military leader [[William Heath]] as the British Army returned to Boston. Warren also played an important role in recruiting and organizing soldiers during the [[Siege of Boston]]. | |
| − | After receiving intelligence about British troop movements, | ||
| − | + | [[Image:WarrenPutnam.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Warren (right) offering to serve General [[Israel Putnam]] as a private before the Battle of Bunker Hill]] | |
| − | [[ | + | Warren was appointed a [[major general]] by the Massachusetts Provincial Congress on June 14, 1775. However, his commission had not yet taken effect three days later when the [[Battle of Bunker Hill]] was fought. As a result, he served as a volunteer [[private (rank)|private]], against the wishes of General [[Israel Putnam]] and Colonel [[William Prescott]], who requested that he serve as their commander. He fought in the front lines, rallying his troops to the third and final assault of the battle when he was killed by a musket ball fired into his head by a British officer who recognized him. |
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| − | Warren | + | British Captain Walter Laurie, who had been defeated at [[Battle of Lexington and Concord#Old North Bridge|Old North Bridge]], later said he "stuffed the scoundrel with another rebel into one hole, and there he and his seditious principles may remain." Warren's body was exhumed ten months after his death by his brothers and [[Paul Revere]], who identified the remains by the artificial teeth in its jaw. This may be the first recorded instance of post-mortem identification by [[forensic odontology]]. His body was placed in [[Granary Burying Ground]] and later (in 1825) in [[Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston|St. Paul's Cathedral]], before finally being moved in 1855 to his family's vault in [[Forest Hills Cemetery]]. |
| − | [[Image:Warren RLS.JPG|thumb | + | |
| − | At the time of Warren's death, his children—Joseph Warren, H. C. Warren, Richard Warren, Elizabeth Warren, Mary Warren—were staying with [[Abigail Adams]] at the [[John Quincy Adams birthplace (Quincy, Massachusetts)|John Quincy Adams birthplace]] in [[Quincy, Massachusetts]]. A [[Abigail Adams Cairn|cairn]] now marks the spot where his oldest daughter observed the battle from afar after word of her father's death. The Warren children were | + | [[Image:Warren RLS.JPG|thumb|Warren's statue in front of the Roxbury Latin School]] |
| + | At the time of Warren's death, his children—Joseph Warren, H. C. Warren, Richard Warren, Elizabeth Warren, Mary Warren—were staying with [[Abigail Adams]] at the [[John Quincy Adams birthplace (Quincy, Massachusetts)|John Quincy Adams birthplace]] in [[Quincy, Massachusetts]]. A [[Abigail Adams Cairn|cairn]] now marks the spot where his oldest daughter observed the battle from afar after word of her father's death. The Warren children were financially supported by [[Benedict Arnold]], who later succeeded in obtaining support for them from the Continental Congress until they were of age. | ||
[[John Warren (Revolutionary War surgeon)|John Warren]], Joseph's younger brother, served as a surgeon during the [[Battle of Bunker Hill]] and the rest of the war and then later founded [[Harvard Medical School]]. | [[John Warren (Revolutionary War surgeon)|John Warren]], Joseph's younger brother, served as a surgeon during the [[Battle of Bunker Hill]] and the rest of the war and then later founded [[Harvard Medical School]]. | ||
==Legacy== | ==Legacy== | ||
| − | General Gage is | + | British commander-in-chief General Thomas Gage is said to have called Warren's death of equal value to the death of 500 men, but his death strengthened the Revolution's political position because it was viewed by many Americans at the time as an act of national [[martyrdom]]. Fourteen states have a [[Warren County]] named after Joseph Warren. Towns such as [[Warren, New Jersey]], [[Warrenton, Virginia]], and [[Warren, Massachusetts]] are also named in his honor. Boston's [[Fort Warren (Massachusetts)|Fort Warren]], started in 1833, was named in his honor. Five ships in the [[Continental Navy]] and [[United States Navy]] were named [[USS Warren|''Warren'']] after Joseph Warren. |
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| + | Warren has two statues in Boston—one in the exhibit lodge adjacent to the [[Bunker Hill Monument]], and the other on the grounds of the Roxbury Latin School. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 15:35, 5 November 2007
Dr. Joseph Warren (June 11, 1741 – June 17, 1775) was an American doctor and soldier, remembered for playing a leading role in American Patriot organizations in Boston and for his death as a volunteer private soldier—as his appointment to the office of general was pending—while also serving as chief executive of the revolutionary Massachusetts government.
Born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, Warren pursued medical studies at Harvard, later becoming a teacher and then a doctor. An active member of the Sons of Liberty, he began associating with pro-indepenence leaders and advocating resistance to the British, and attained the highest position in the revolutionary government
After the 1770 Boston Massacre, Warren was a member of the committee informing the colonial governor that British troops must be recalled, and who dispatched Paul Revere, William Davis, and Samuel Prescott on their famous 1775 ride. He fought at Bunker Hill and was killed while rallying retreating militia. He is remembered as a hero and early martyr of the cause of the American Revolution.
Life and career
Warren was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, to Joseph Warren and Mary (Stevens) Warren. His father was a respected farmer who was killed instantly in October 1755 when he fell off a ladder while gathering fruit in his orchard. After attending the Roxbury Latin School, he studied medicine at Harvard University, graduating in 1759 and then teaching for a time at Roxbury Latin. He married 18-year-old heiress Elizabeth Hooten on September 6, 1764. She died in 1772, leaving him with four children.
While practicing medicine and surgery in Boston, Warren joined the Freemasons and eventually was appointed as a Grand Master. He became involved in politics, associating with John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and other pro-independence leaders. He became active in the Sons of Liberty, and was appointed chairman of the Massachusetts Committee of Correspondence. He drafted the Suffolk Resolves, which were endorsed by the Continental Congress, to advocate resistance to the British. He was then appointed president of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress, the highest position in the revolutionary government.
After receiving intelligence about British troop movements, Warren sent William Dawes and Paul Revere on their famous "midnight rides" on April 18, 1775, to warn Lexington and Concord of British raids. Several historians believe that his source for this information Margaret Gage, the wife of General Thomas Gage, commander in chief of the North American forces from 1763 to 1775. During the Battle of Lexington and Concord on April 19, Warren coordinated and led militia into the fight alongside American military leader William Heath as the British Army returned to Boston. Warren also played an important role in recruiting and organizing soldiers during the Siege of Boston.
Warren was appointed a major general by the Massachusetts Provincial Congress on June 14, 1775. However, his commission had not yet taken effect three days later when the Battle of Bunker Hill was fought. As a result, he served as a volunteer private, against the wishes of General Israel Putnam and Colonel William Prescott, who requested that he serve as their commander. He fought in the front lines, rallying his troops to the third and final assault of the battle when he was killed by a musket ball fired into his head by a British officer who recognized him.
British Captain Walter Laurie, who had been defeated at Old North Bridge, later said he "stuffed the scoundrel with another rebel into one hole, and there he and his seditious principles may remain." Warren's body was exhumed ten months after his death by his brothers and Paul Revere, who identified the remains by the artificial teeth in its jaw. This may be the first recorded instance of post-mortem identification by forensic odontology. His body was placed in Granary Burying Ground and later (in 1825) in St. Paul's Cathedral, before finally being moved in 1855 to his family's vault in Forest Hills Cemetery.
At the time of Warren's death, his children—Joseph Warren, H. C. Warren, Richard Warren, Elizabeth Warren, Mary Warren—were staying with Abigail Adams at the John Quincy Adams birthplace in Quincy, Massachusetts. A cairn now marks the spot where his oldest daughter observed the battle from afar after word of her father's death. The Warren children were financially supported by Benedict Arnold, who later succeeded in obtaining support for them from the Continental Congress until they were of age.
John Warren, Joseph's younger brother, served as a surgeon during the Battle of Bunker Hill and the rest of the war and then later founded Harvard Medical School.
Legacy
British commander-in-chief General Thomas Gage is said to have called Warren's death of equal value to the death of 500 men, but his death strengthened the Revolution's political position because it was viewed by many Americans at the time as an act of national martyrdom. Fourteen states have a Warren County named after Joseph Warren. Towns such as Warren, New Jersey, Warrenton, Virginia, and Warren, Massachusetts are also named in his honor. Boston's Fort Warren, started in 1833, was named in his honor. Five ships in the Continental Navy and United States Navy were named Warren after Joseph Warren.
Warren has two statues in Boston—one in the exhibit lodge adjacent to the Bunker Hill Monument, and the other on the grounds of the Roxbury Latin School.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Cary, John. Joseph Warren, Greenwood Press, 1986. ISBN 978-0313252716
- Frothingham, Richard. Life and Times of Joseph Warren, Kessinger Publishing, 2007. ISBN 978-0548320778
- Sparks, Jared. The Library of American Biography, Vol. X (Life of Joseph Warren, et. al.), Harper & Brother, ASIN B000MOWN8K
- Thatcher, B.B. Biographical Sketch of Gen. Joseph Warren, Shepard, Clark, & Brown, 1957. ASIN B00088JUNNZ
External links
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