Background
Bowdoin, James was born on September 23, 1752 in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Son of James Bowdoin.
Bowdoin, James was born on September 23, 1752 in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Son of James Bowdoin.
Graduated from Harvard, 1771.
In merc. pursuits, Boston, 1771-circa 1786. Representative Massachusetts General Court from Dorchester, 1786-1790. Member Massachusetts Committee to ratify United States Constitution, 1788, supported ratification.
Member Massachusetts Senate, 1794, 1801.
Member Massachusetts Government"s Council, 1798. Supported Jeffersonians politically.
United States minister to Spain, 1804-1808, spent most of time abroad in Paris negotiating with Napoleon concerning American acquisition of Florida territory. Bequeathed his library, collection of European paintings, also land and cash to Bowdoin College (named for his father).
Author: (pamphlet) Opinions Respecting the Commercial Intercourse between the United States of America and the Dominions of Britain, 1797.
Member Massachusetts Committee to ratify United States Constitution, 1788, supported ratification. Member Massachusetts Senate, 1794, 1801. Member Massachusetts Government"s Council, 1798.
Married Sarah Bowdoin, May 18, 1781.