Mercy Otis Warren: Cape Cod's Most Famous Woman

Join us at the Hyannis Public Library on Wednesday, June 10, 2015 at 5:45 p. m. when author Nancy Rubin Stuart traces the colorful, and often controversial life of Mercy Otis Warren, (1728-1814), Cape Cod’s most famous woman and America’s first female playwright and historian of the American Revolution.  This program is free and open to the public. Nancy’s lively talk will explain how and why Mrs. Warren evolved from her role as traditional colonial wife to become one of America’s most influential patriots.  The sister of James “The Patriot” Otis, Jr. — famous for declaring “taxation without representation is tyranny” – Mrs. Warren produced  important anti-British and anti-Tory plays, poems, an influential pamphlet advocating  for a Bill of Rights, and a three-volume The History of the Rise, Progress and Termination of the American Revolution.  The feisty Mrs. Warren, married to James Warren, President of the Provincial Congress and the mother of five sons, often hosted Sons of Liberty meetings in her Plymouth home.  It was there that her friend, John Adams, impressed with her “genius” pen, first encouraged her to write on politics. Nancy Rubin Stuart is an award-winning author specializing in women’s and social history.  While researching Mercy Otis Warren’s life, Nancy first became acquainted with Cape Cod, leading her and her husband to eventually move here from Manhattan.  Ms. Stuart  currently serves as the Executive Director of the Cape Cod Writers Center and is Co-President of the Boston Chapter of the Women’s National Book Association. Copies of Ms. Stuart’s books will be available for sale and signing.