Joseph Adams

Joseph Adams may refer to:

Joseph Adams (businessman)

Joseph Adams (c. 1700 – 29 September 1737) was a British-born Canadian chief factor of the Hudson's Bay Company.

Biography

Adams was born to William, a labourer, and Katherine Adams. He was baptized on 4 May 1700, in Woodford, Essex. His parish bound him on 1 June 1705, to serve the Hudson's Bay Company until he was 24. Around this time, Adams was sent to Fort Albany, where he received training and learned the Cree language. In 1722, Adams' pay was increased to £16 per year, retroactive to 11 September 1721. He spent the 1723–24 season in England due to health issues.

When Adams returned to Fort Albany to continue working at the Hudson's Bay Company, he became Joseph Myatt's deputy from 1727 to Myatt's death on 9 June 1730, after when Adams took over Myatt's position as chief factor of the Hudson's Bay Company based at Fort Albany. Adams surveyed Moose River in July 1728, with the help of William Bevan, and he also located the original site of Moose Factory, Ontario. The company's London committee told Adams to establish a factory at Moose in 1730, and despite reservations about their capabilities, he sent Thomas Render and John Jewer to build the post. He was later proven correct when the men at Moose refused to work under Render, forcing Adams to personally visit Moose in October 1731, to resolve the issue.

Joseph Adams (physician)

Joseph Adams M.D. F.L.S. (1756 – 20 June 1818) was a British physician and surgeon. His father was a practising apothecary in London, and a rigid dissenter who, because of his religious beliefs, would not allow his son to attend Oxford or Cambridge. He, however, received a good classical education and, having been apprenticed to his father, became a member of the Society of Apothecaries. He studied under Dr. Pitcairn and Mr. Pott at St. Bartholomew's, Dr. Saunders at Guy's, and Mr. John Hunter at St. George's hospitals.

In 1790, he became a member of the Corporation of Surgeons, and in 1795 published a small volume on Morbid Poisons. On the basis of that work, the University of Aberdeen awarded him an M.D. The following year, he left London for Madeira, where he resided for eight years, practising medicine and conducting research. He visited the lazaretto near Funchal, and learned about leprosy, yaws, and other diseases. This work contributed to the second edition of his work on Morbid Poisons, which he is principally known for. He has the merit of having introduced the cowpox into Madeira.