Stephen Burroughs, an American adventurer, born at Hanover, N. H., in 1765, died at Three Rivers, Canada, Jan. 28, 1840. At the age of 14 he ran away from home to join the army, but soon deserted. He entered Dartmouth college, which, after committing numerous offences, he left clandestinely before graduating. Having been successively priva-teersman, ship's physician, and schoolmaster, he acted as pastor of a Congregational church in Pelham, Mass., for about six months, when he was convicted of passing counterfeit money, and imprisoned at Northampton. Having attempted to escape by firing the jail, he was removed to Castle island in Boston harbor, whence he effected his escape with seven other prisoners, but was retaken. Released from prison, he repaired to Canada, where for many years he was at the head of an association of counterfeiters. In the latter part of his life he reformed, entered the communion of the Roman Catholic church, and passed his last years in educating the sons of wealthy Canadians at his own residence, where he had a large and valuable library. Notwithstanding his previous life, he was esteemed and respected by all. His "Memoirs of my Own Life" (2 vols, in 1, Albany, 18117; Philadelphia, 1848) was formerly a very popular book.

It relates mainly to his early career.