John Adams

Second President 1797-1801

Born: October 30, 1735 in Braintree (Quincy), Massachusetts.

Education: Graduated from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Occupation: Teacher, lawyer, diplomat, and public official.

Religion: Unitarian

Family Life: Married Abigail Smith on October 25, 1764. Theirs was a marriage of the mind and of the heart for it endured more than half a century, and enriched by time. They had three sons and two daughters, Abigail Amelia Adams (1765-1813), John Quincy Adams -- later to become the Sixth President (1767-1848), Susanna Adams (1768-1770), Charles Adams (1770-1800), and Thomas Boylston Adams (1772-1832). Abigail died in 1818 and is buried beside her husband. The Adams' were the first family to occupy the White House in Washington D.C. Abigail shared her husband's belief that the presidency should carry the dignity of the courts of Europe, and thus set a standard of formality and patriotism for the new nation.

Political Career: An early leader of the Revolution, Adams served in the Continental Congress and was on the committee to write the Declaration of Independence. A leading diplomat, 1778-88, he helped Washington's career and was his Vice-President 1789-97. Elected in 1796 as a Federalist, was badly defeated for reelection in 1880. Retired to Quincy, Massachusetts in 1801.

Highlights of His Presidency: Prospective treaty with the French marred by XYZ Affair; French officials demanded bribes. Alien and Sedition laws passed with Adams neutral. Because he lacked congressional support, Adams did not accomplish much in his four years in office. John Adams has been the least understood and appreciated of Presidents. His reputation both during his lifetime and afterwards, has suffered from this lack of understanding. Adams, who grew to rival Hamilton and Jefferson, reconciled after retirement with the other patriots to write advice to aid up-building the young government.

Famous Words: "Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people." ~ in the Boston Gazette as "A Dissertation on the Canon and Feudal Law."

Appearance: Short (5'7") and stout, with strong, stern features.

Died: July 4, 1826, of old age and debility at Quincy, Massachusetts, age 90, fifty years to the day of signing the Declaration.

Buried: Buried in the First Unitarian Church, Quincy.

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