In the landscape of 18th century American poetry, the names of male authors such as Philip Freneau or Joel Barlow are more frequently mentioned. However, the contributions of women, though often overshadowed or overlooked, are no less important. Among these early voices stands Hannah Adams, a pioneering figure whose contributions to American letters have often been associated more with historical and religious writings than with poetry. Nevertheless, Hannah Adams deserves recognition not only as a scholar and historian but also as an 18th century American poet whose intellectual depth and spiritual sensibility resonate with the early identity of American poetry.
This article will explore Hannah Adams’s life, the cultural context in which she wrote, her poetic themes and style, and how her work compares with her contemporaries. It will also consider how Adams’s poetry contributes to the broader development of American poetry in the colonial and post-revolutionary periods.
Hannah Adams
Hannah Adams was born on October 2, 1755, in Medfield, Massachusetts. The daughter of a bookish and liberal-minded shopkeeper, Thomas Adams, she grew up in an environment that encouraged intellectual inquiry. Unlike most women of her time, she had access to books and was self-taught in many subjects, including Latin and Greek. Her exposure to literature, theology, and history laid the foundation for her later accomplishments.
Although primarily known for her historical writings, such as A View of Religions (1784) and A Summary History of New-England (1799), Adams also wrote poetry. Her poems are scattered and less documented compared to her prose works, yet they reflect a rich interior life shaped by education, religion, and the emerging American identity.
Women and Poetry in 18th Century America
To understand Hannah Adams as an 18th century American poet, it is essential to appreciate the limitations and expectations placed upon women writers in colonial America. Poetry was often one of the few accepted literary outlets for women, especially when it dealt with themes of religion, morality, or personal reflection.
In contrast to male poets who could engage more openly in political discourse or public events, women often used poetry to navigate private spheres—spiritual concerns, loss, piety, and the role of women in society. Yet, their contributions laid important groundwork for American poetry as a whole. Adams fits into this tradition but also extends it through her erudition and moral clarity.
The Poetic Themes of Hannah Adams
Although not voluminous, Hannah Adams’s poetry engages deeply with themes central to 18th century American poetry. Her religious upbringing and intellectual pursuits merge in verse that reflects theological meditation, personal humility, and the quest for divine truth. Typical themes include:
1. Religious Contemplation
In much of Adams’s poetry, one finds a deep reverence for divine providence. Her reflections on the human soul, salvation, and divine justice connect her work to both the Puritan heritage and Enlightenment rationalism. These themes were commonly found in the work of poets like Edward Taylor, a 17th-century precursor, and continued in the spiritual poetry of her contemporaries.
2. Moral Instruction
Adams believed in literature as a tool for moral education. Her poems, like her historical works, often emphasize virtue, humility, and charity. This moral voice situates her alongside other 18th century American poets who saw their work as a form of social and ethical guidance.
3. Personal Reflection and Humility
A notable feature of Adams’s verse is her modesty. She often framed her poetic efforts as unworthy or lacking refinement—a rhetorical humility common among women writers of the time. Yet beneath this modesty lay a firm confidence in the spiritual and intellectual value of her work.
Style and Language
Hannah Adams’s poetic style is marked by simplicity, clarity, and a didactic tone. She employed straightforward syntax and vocabulary, reflecting both her Puritan heritage and the Enlightenment ideal of rational clarity. Her poems are generally written in rhymed couplets or quatrains, with a steady iambic rhythm.
Unlike the more ornate or emotive styles of poets like Anne Bradstreet or Phillis Wheatley, Adams’s verse tends toward the restrained and reflective. This stylistic approach aligned well with the moral tone of early American poetry.
Comparisons with Contemporary American Poets
To better understand Adams’s place in the literary canon, it is helpful to compare her to some of her contemporaries.
Anne Bradstreet (1612–1772)
Though she lived earlier, Anne Bradstreet set a precedent for women poets in America. Like Adams, Bradstreet was deeply religious and used poetry to explore personal and theological themes. Bradstreet’s work is more emotionally expressive, whereas Adams leans toward intellectual and moral reflection.
Phillis Wheatley (1753–1784)
A contemporary of Adams, Phillis Wheatley was the first African American woman to publish a book of poetry. Wheatley’s work is more stylistically sophisticated, often employing classical references and elevated diction. However, both poets shared a common engagement with religious themes and moral instruction. Adams’s poetry lacks the public recognition Wheatley received but shares in the quiet dignity of spiritual expression.
Mercy Otis Warren (1728–1814)
A political thinker and playwright, Warren also wrote poetry that engaged with the American Revolution and the role of women. Unlike Adams, Warren was more directly political. Yet both women used literature to comment on moral and cultural issues, offering complementary perspectives on American values.
Adams’s Contribution to American Poetry
Although Hannah Adams is primarily remembered as a historian and religious writer, her contribution to American poetry is significant in its reflective and moralistic tone. She represents a strand of 18th century American poetry that is introspective, devout, and quietly intellectual. Her poems, though few, reflect the spirit of a nation in formation—seeking identity, moral clarity, and spiritual purpose.
In many ways, Adams can be seen as a bridge figure, connecting the didactic Puritan tradition with the Enlightenment-inflected rationality of the new republic. Her emphasis on virtue, reason, and modesty embodies the values of early American society.
Legacy and Recognition
The overshadowing of Hannah Adams’s poetry by her historical writings and by more prominent male poets reflects broader patterns in literary history. However, recent scholarship has begun to re-evaluate the contributions of early American women writers. Adams’s poetry, when read in conjunction with her prose, reveals a cohesive worldview and a sincere commitment to intellectual and moral integrity.
Her life also symbolizes the struggles and achievements of women in the early American republic. She earned a modest living through her writing—a remarkable feat for a woman in her time. Her correspondence, writings, and reputation among Boston intellectuals attest to her influence.
Conclusion
Hannah Adams, often remembered only as a historian, deserves recognition as an 18th century American poet. Her modest yet thoughtful verse offers valuable insight into the moral and spiritual life of early America. Her work expands our understanding of American poetry, particularly the contributions of women whose voices were often subdued but never silent.
Adams stands alongside Bradstreet, Wheatley, and Warren as a formative voice in American literature. Though her poems may lack the fame of her male counterparts, they resonate with sincerity, humility, and intellectual grace. As we continue to uncover the layered history of American poetry, Hannah Adams’s quiet voice deserves to be heard anew—as an essential part of the poetic heritage of 18th century America.
