ADAMS, HANNAH (1755-1831) , American writer, was born in Medfield, Mass., in 1755. She is said to be the first woman in America to have made literature a profession. By private study, which she began at an early age, she acquired much varied learning, including some acquaintance with Latin and Greek. Through family reverses she was compelled from her 17th year to provide for herself. Her writings, though they brought reputa tion and friends, yielded but little pecuniary profit. Among her chief works were Views of Religious Opinions (1784), History of New England (1799), Evidences of Christianity (I8oi) and His tory of the Jews (1812). Her Autobiography, with additions by Hannah F. Adams, was published in 1832. She died in Brookline, Mass., Nov. 15, 1831.