Fisher Ames
Fisher Ames was a prominent American politician, lawyer, and essayist born in Dedham, Massachusetts, in 1758. He demonstrated academic excellence from a young age, entering Harvard University at twelve and graduating in 1774. Following a brief involvement in the American Revolution, Ames dedicated himself to law, becoming a practicing attorney in Dedham after being admitted to the bar in 1781. He served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and was elected to the U.S. Congress three times, where he became known for his influential oratory, particularly in support of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
Ames was a staunch Federalist, aligning himself with the ideas of Alexander Hamilton and opposing those of Thomas Jefferson. He warned against the dangers of pure democracy, advocating for a government based on the rule of law rather than individual whims. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of private property and minimal government intervention in personal and economic affairs. Ames was also a proponent of incorporating the Bible into education, believing it essential for moral development. Although offered the presidency of Harvard University in 1804, he declined due to health issues. His thoughts and political writings were compiled posthumously in "The Works of Fisher Ames."
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Subject Terms
Fisher Ames
Representative
- Born: April 9, 1758
- Birthplace: Dedham, Massachusetts
- Died: July 4, 1808
- Place of death: Dedham, Massachusetts
Biography
Fisher Ames was born in Dedham, Massachusetts, the son of a physician and tavern owner. Ames’s father died when he was young. At the age of twelve, Ames entered Harvard University, where he studied the classics and trained in elocution. He graduated as an outstanding scholar in 1774. He briefly participated in the American Revolution. Ames taught school for five years, but he primarily studied law under the tutelage of one of Boston’s prominent lawyers. He was admitted to the bar in 1781 and practiced law in Dedham. In 1788 Ames served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and he was elected to the first, second, and third Congresses between 1789 and 1797.
Ames began writing essays in the 1780’s. One of his essays condemned the Shays’ Rebellion, which advocated that an individual had an inherent right to forceful protest. In 1788, Ames’s powerful oratory was influential in the eventual ratification of the Constitution. Ames was known as a Federalist, and he supported the views of Alexander Hamilton and vehemently opposed the views of Thomas Jefferson. Ames argued that pure democracy would lead the new nation into the basest of human emotions: greed and a lack of virtue. He asserted that the United States must attach itself to a constitution of laws, and not to the notion of democratic predilection. Although Ames believed that government was necessary to prevent anarchy, he envisioned a state in which government did not intervene in the affairs of private citizens, or in the economy. Ames believed that private property was an essential requirement of a free society.
In addition to his political views, Ames was an outspoken supporter of the Bible as a component of education. He believed that the Bible must be at the heart of any school curriculum and stated that it should remain an integral part of any education. Ames was chosen as the president of Harvard University in 1804, but, because of his declining health, he did not accept the position. His collected works were published posthumously as The Works of Fisher Ames.