Biography of John Adams

Biography of John Adams was the 2nd president of the United States (1797-1801).

Biography of John Adams : Learn about his biography and life story including his wife Abigail, the Revolutionary War, and his time as president

• Served as President: 1797-1801
• Vice President: Thomas Jefferson
• Party: Federalist
• Age at inauguration: 61
• Born: October 30 1735 in Braintree (now Quincy), Massachusetts
• Died: July 4, 1826 in Braintree (now Quincy), Massachusetts
• Married: Abigail Smith Adams
• Children: 5 (Abigail, John Quincy, Charles, Thomas, and a daughter who died young)
• Nickname: Father of American Independence

Biography of John Adams :

What is John Adams most known for?

John Adams was one of the principal architects of the US. He battled for American Freedom as a Massachusetts representative to the Mainland Congress. He was an individual from the group that dealt with the Statement of Freedom and one of just two individuals who marked the Announcement to later become president (the other was Thomas Jefferson).

Growing Up

John grew up in the English colony of Massachusetts Bay. His father was an influential farmer and craftsman who became Speaker of the Massachusetts Bay legislature. John was an intelligent boy and his father put an emphasis on education. He went to Harvard for college where his father expected him to study to become a minister. John had different ideas, however, and decided to study law. He graduated from Harvard in 1755 and began practicing law in Boston soon afterward.

Before He Became President

As Adams practiced law in Boston, he began to have strong feelings about the British rule. He felt that the colonies were not being treated fairly and should become independent from Britain. He became a member of the Massachusetts legislature and then served as their delegate at the Second Continental Congress. While serving on the congress he was a strong advocate of independence for America. He even worked on the Declaration of Independence with Thomas Jefferson.

 

During the American Revolution, Adams went to Europe to gain funding for the war and secure alliances with other countries for the new American government. He also worked on the Treaty of Paris, along with Benjamin Franklin and John Jay, which finally put an end to the Revolutionary War.

John Adams’ Presidency

Adams first served as Vice President under George Washington. He found this job boring and insignificant. However, when Washington stepped down, Adams ran for president and barely won over Thomas Jefferson in 1797.

During his presidency, Adams’ main accomplishment was keeping the United States out of war with France. France and Great Britain were at war and both wanted help from the US. The American public was divided. Some wanted to support France because France helped the US during the American Revolution. Others wanted to help Great Britain. Although it hurt his popularity at the time, Adams opted for peace and kept the country out of the war.

 

How did he die?

Adams lived to the ripe old age of 90 when he fell ill and died on July 4, 1826. In one of the more amazing coincidences of history, Adams died on the same day as Thomas Jefferson. This day was also the 50th anniversary of the approval of the Declaration of Independence!

Fun Facts about John Adams

• Adams was married to his wife Abigail for 53 years. Abigail and John wrote many letters to each other over the years, sometimes daily.
• He was overweight and some people called him by the nickname “His Rotundity”.
• Thomas Jefferson and Adams were rivals for the presidency. When Adams won, Jefferson became vice president because, at the time, the person with the second most votes for president became vice president.
• His final words were “Thomas Jefferson still survives”. However, he didn’t know that Jefferson had died a few hours earlier.
• Adams was the first president to live in the White House.
• His son, John Quincy Adams, became the 6th President of the United States.

Biography of John Adams