born Sept. 9, 1711, Boston, Mass.
died June 3, 1780, London, Eng.
American colonial administrator.
The son of a wealthy Boston merchant, he pursued business ventures before serving in local and provincial legislatures (1737–49) and as a delegate to the Albany Congress. He served as lieutenant governor (1758–71) and as chief justice of the state Superior Court (1760–69). As governor (1771–74), he strictly enforced British rule. After he was accused of initiating the hated Stamp Act , a mob attacked his home, and he barely escaped with his life. His insistence that a shipment of tea be landed in Boston led to the Boston Tea Party . He was replaced as governor by Gen. Thomas Gage.