James Otis and Mental Health in the 18th Century Artwork

Revolution 250 Podcast

Revolution 250 is a consortium of organizations in New England planning commemorations of the American Revolution's 250th anniversary. https://revolution250.org/Through this podcast you will meet many of the people involved in these commemorations, and learn about the people who brought about the Revolution--which began here. To support Revolution 250, visit https://www.masshist.org/rev250Theme Music: "Road to Boston" fifes: Doug Quigley, Peter Emerick; Drums: Dave Emerick

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Revolution 250 Podcast

James Otis and Mental Health in the 18th Century

October 28, 2025 • Gerald Holland, Lucy Pollock, Kate LaPine, Paul Piwko • Season 5 • Episode 43

0:00 | 46:21

In listening to James Otis, Jr.'s arguments against the Writs of Assistance in 1761, John Adams remarked that it was there that American Independence was born. There is no question of Otis' erudition or passion for liberty, but while he fought for the rights of his country, he was also fighting a personal battle for his mental health. We talk with Gerald Holland, aurhor of a new biography of Otis, Lucy Pollock, Kate LaPine, and Paul Piwko as they discuss the new online exhibit. Patriot, Hero, and Distracted Person. a collaboration between Revolutionary Spaces and the National Museum of Mental Health Project on the life and struggles of James Otis, Jr.

https://www.nmmhproject.org/jamesotisjr

https://revolutionaryspaces.org/

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