An American merchant and politician, James Bowdoin (1726-1790) participated in the political agitation before the American Revolution. His most important role, however, was as governor of Massachusetts during Shays' Rebellion.

James Bowdoin was descended from a Huguenot refugee who had arrived in the British colonies in the 1680s. His father was an enormously successful merchant and, at the time of his death in 1747, may have been the wealthiest man in New England. Throughout his political career, Bowdoin continued his mercantile activities, and some of his political stands were clearly related to the restrictive impact of British policies upon his functions as a merchant.

Bowdoin began his political career in 1753. He served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and later in the Council of the General Court, where he generally opposed British policies. He aided in drafting many protests against British actions, and he corresponded with friends in England...