Adams, Hannah, 1755-1831

Hannah Adams was and early American author and historian, known for her pioneering work in the field of comparative religion. Born in Massachusetts, she was home-schooled by her father, a Harvard tutor. She turned to writing as an outlet for her scholarly interests, and to help her family's financial concerns. A series of groundbreaking works on religion brought her fame and lasting success. She was the first writer to describe each religion from the point of view of its adherents, and was also very popular socially with her Massachusetts contemporaries.

Hannah Adams was the first American woman to support herself by her writings. Born in Medfield, Mass., she was self-educated and wrote mainly about religion and history. For further biographical information, see Notable American Women, 1607-1950 (1971).