Presidential Spotlight: John Adams

John Adams, 2nd President of the United States

From America’s Library:

Born: October 30 (October 19, Old Style), 1735, in Braintree (now Quincy), Massachusetts
Died: July 4, 1826, in Braintree (now Quincy), Massachusetts

John Adams worked as a teacher and lawyer before dedicating himself to a life of patriotism and politics. He was America’s second president. Adams was well known for his extreme political independence, brilliant mind and passionate patriotism. He was a leader in the Continental Congress and an important diplomatic figure, before becoming America’s first vice president. Adams then served one term as president but lost the election of 1800 to Thomas Jefferson, his longtime friend and political rival.

More John Adams stories from America’s Library

John Adams and the Boston Massacre Trial of 1770 (primary source set and curator notes)

John Adams presidential inauguration primary source set

John Adams correspondence (1777-1826)

Books & other texts related to John Adams

Life of John Adams” by John Quincy Adams and Charles Francis Adams The North American Review Volume 113, Issue 232, July 1871

John Adams historical newspaper coverage 1789-1827

President Adams historical newspaper coverage 1797-1801

John Adams image set

John Adams residence image set

Modern-day legislation related to John Adams

David McCullough on John Adams YouTube

John Adams: POTUS background information

Today in History: Abigail Adams