John Quincy Adams

Presidents, 1767-1848

John Quincy Adams was born in Braintree (now Quincy), Massachusetts, the son of John and Abigail Adams. He spent much of his youth in Europe where his father served on a variety of diplomatic missions. John Junior's intellectual abilities were recognized early in life and at the age of 15 he was named the secretary to the U.S. minister in Russia. He returned to America and graduated from Harvard College in 1788. He studied law and established his own practice in 1791. Adams began a distinguished diplomatic career by serving the Federalist presidents as the minister to the Netherlands and Prussia in the 1790s.

In 1802, he was elected to the Massachusetts assembly, but left the following year to take a U.S. Senate seat. Elected originally as a Federalist, Adams broke with the party when he supported Jefferson’s Embargo of 1807. He went on to serve the Madison and Monroe administrations on a series of diplomatic assignments: minister to Russia from 1809 to 1814, peace negotiator at Ghent during the War of 1812, and minister to Great Britain from 1815 to 1817.

As secretary of state for Monroe, Adams was successful in improving relations with Britain.

The Election of 1824 was decided in favor of Adams by the House of Representatives despite the fact that Andrew Jackson received more electoral votes. In an apparently “corrupt bargain,” Henry Clay was appointed Adams’ secretary of state.

As president, Adams wanted the federal government to take a leading role in fostering internal improvements. He tried to operate above politics, but his lack of concern for party affiliation only fostered bitterness among his supporters. He was not reelected in 1828.

Adams led a truly distinguished post-presidential career, serving the last 17 years of his life as an Independent in the House of Representatives. He worked unceasingly for anti-slavery causes and died at his desk in the Capitol after answering a roll call.