Letters of Hannah Adams, 1795-1820

Hannah Adams (1755-1831) was one of the first American women to receive compensation for her writings on religion and history. She was one of five children born in Medfield, Massachusetts to Thomas and Elizabeth (Clark) Adams. Her mother passed away when she was 12 years old and her father's second wife had four additional children. Dire financial circumstances, coupled with poor health, were contributing factors in Adams' lack of formal education. Despite these challenges, she became an avid reader and learned Latin and Greek from divinity students who rented rooms in the family's household. She began her writing career after reading the Historical Dictionary of All Religions by Reverend Thomas Broughton.

Adams compiled writings from a wide range of theological, geographical, and historical studies. The compilation was eventually published as An Alphabetical Compendium of the Various Sects Which Have Appeared from the Beginning of the Christian Era to the Present Day (1784). For nearly two decades, the popularity of her book, described as concise and non-judgmental, generated a series of updated editions in the United States, including A View of Religions (1791, 1801) and A Dictionary of All Religions and Religious Denominations Jewish, Heathen, Mahometan, and Christian, Ancient and Modern, (1817). Several editions of the book were also published in London between 1805 and 1823.

Adams experienced varying levels of financial success, but numerous supporters provided funds that enabled her to continue writing. Her later publications included A Summary History of New-England (1799), The Truth and Excellence of the Christian Religion Exhibited (1804), History of the Jews (1812), and Letters on the Gospels (1824). Hannah Adams died in Brookline, Massachusetts. Her memoir, entitled A Memoir of Miss Hannah Adams, Written by Herself , was published posthumously in 1832.