Samson Occom

Rachel B. Griffis (Sterling College)

Ed. by Padraig Kirwan, Goldsmiths College, University of London
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 3.2.6: Indigenous Writing and Culture of North America - United States.
Vol. editors: Emory Elliott (University of California, Riverside), Sarah Henzi (Simon Fraser University), Padraig Kirwan (Goldsmiths College, University of London), Stephen E. Meats (Pittsburg State University)

Dates

Born 1723
Died 1792
Activity 1743-1792

Places

Born in United States
Active in United States

Cultural Identities

First Nations/Indigenous US-American

Activities

Primary

Editor
Hymnist/ Psalmist
Preacher

Resources

Occom's Works

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Samson Occom’s execution sermon for Moses Paul is considered the first book published by a Native American writer, a text that speaks directly to Native peoples and draws together politics, social justice, and Christian theology. A significant figure in the American literary tradition, Occom is also studied for his role in religious, indigenous, and political history as well as missionary efforts. His autobiography, “A Short Narrative of My Life”, often appears in anthologies and on college syllabi, though his extensive body of work includes letters, sermons, journals, hymns, political documents, and medical writing. Occom was an ordained minister, teacher, and political activist. He also traveled extensively, both in New England and abroad. Demonstrating his fidelity to a way of…

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1742 words

Citation: Griffis, Rachel B.. "Samson Occom". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 24 January 2019 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=3391, accessed 25 April 2024.]

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