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John Quincy Adams 1767 - 1848

John Quincy Adams of Washington, District of Columbia County, District Of Columbia United States was born on July 11, 1767 in Braintree, Norfolk County, MA to John Adams and Abigail (Smith) Adams. He had siblings Thomas Boylston Adams, Abigail "Nabby" (Adams) Smith, Charles Adams, Grace Susanna Adams, and Elizabeth Adams. He married Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams in 1797, and they were married until John's death on February 23, 1848. He had children George Washington Adams, John Quincy Adams, II, Charles Francis Adams, and Louisa Catherine Adams. John Adams was buried on July 26, 1848 at United First Parish Church (First Unitarian Church) 1306 Hancock St, in Quincy, MA.

John Quincy Adams
Name
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Washington, District of Columbia County, District Of Columbia United States
Last residence
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July 11, 1767
Braintree, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States
Birth
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February 23, 1848
Washington D.C. in Washington, District Of Columbia, United States
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John Quincy Adams John Adams (1767 - 1848)
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John Quincy Adams' History: 1767 - 1848

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  • Introduction

    John Quincy Adams was born on July 11, 1767, in Braintree, Massachusetts, to John and Abigail Adams. His parents were prominent figures in the American Revolution, with his father serving as the second President of the United States and his mother becoming known for her influential letters and political observations. John Adams, a lawyer by profession, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as well as a delegate to the First and Second Continental Congresses. Abigail Adams, known for her strong intellect and independent spirit, was a close advisor to her husband and one of America's earliest feminist voices. Growing up in a household of such distinguished leaders and scholars, John Quincy Adams inherited a legacy of public service and a commitment to education and political philosophy. His upbringing instilled in him a strong work ethic, a thirst for knowledge, and a sense of civic responsibility that would inform his entire life. Over the course of his career, John Quincy Adams would make significant contributions to American politics, diplomacy, and intellectual life, leaving a lasting mark on the nation's history.
  • 07/11
    1767

    Birthday

    July 11, 1767
    Birthdate
    Braintree, Norfolk County, Massachusetts United States
    Birthplace
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  • Ethnicity & Family History

    John Quincy Adams came from a family with a rich history in politics and public service. He was the son of John Adams, who served as the second President of the United States, and Abigail Adams, who was known for her influential letters and correspondence with her husband during the Revolutionary War. John Quincy's paternal grandfather was also named John Adams, and he was a well-known political leader in Massachusetts. On his mother's side, John Quincy was a descendent of the Norton family, which had a long history in New England dating back to the early 1600s. His great-great-grandfather, John Norton, was a Puritan minister and one of the founders of Harvard College. Another of his ancestors, Thomas Shepard, was also a Puritan minister and played a key role in the establishment of Cambridge, Massachusetts. John Quincy's family was deeply committed to public service and had a strong sense of civic duty. His father, John Adams, was one of the key figures in the American Revolution and helped draft the Declaration of Independence. He also served as a diplomat in Europe and played a major role in negotiating the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Revolutionary War. John Quincy's mother, Abigail, was a strong advocate for women's rights and education, and she was known for her sharp intellect and insightful political commentary. Growing up in this family, John Quincy was steeped in a tradition of public service and a commitment to the ideals of democracy and freedom. This would shape his own career as a diplomat, statesman, and eventually as the sixth President of the United States.

  • Nationality & Locations

    John Quincy Adams lived in various places throughout his life, both in the United States and abroad. He was born on July 11, 1767, in Braintree, Massachusetts (which is now Quincy, Massachusetts) and spent his early years there. His family moved to Europe in 1778 when his father, John Adams, was appointed as a diplomat to France. The family then spent time in the Netherlands and Great Britain before returning to the United States in 1785. After returning to the U.S., John Quincy Adams attended Harvard University and began his career in politics. He served as a diplomat in various capacities, including as a minister to the Netherlands, Portugal, Prussia, and Russia. He also served as a U.S. senator from Massachusetts and later as Secretary of State under President James Monroe. In 1825, John Quincy Adams was elected as the sixth president of the United States and served in that role until 1829. After his presidency, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts until his death in 1848. Throughout his life, John Quincy Adams lived in various places in Massachusetts, including Braintree/Quincy, Boston, and Cambridge. He also lived in various European cities during his time as a diplomat, including Paris, Amsterdam, and St. Petersburg.

  • Early Life & Education

    Thanks in large part to his parents, John Quincy Adams received a rigorous education, particularly in the fields of classical languages, literature, and law. He did not attend public school as we know it today, but was primarily educated at home by his parents and private tutors. John Quincy Adams learned to read and write at home from his mother, Abigail Adams, who was a well-educated woman and an advocate of education for women. He was also taught by his father, John Adams, who was a Harvard-educated lawyer and a founding father of the United States. John Quincy Adams was an avid reader from an early age and had a strong interest in history, politics, and the law. In 1778, when John Quincy Adams was 11 years old, he was sent to France with his father, who was serving as a diplomat during the American Revolution. While in France, John Quincy Adams attended school in Passy and received instruction in French and other subjects. He also spent time in the Netherlands and England, where he continued his education. Upon returning to the United States, John Quincy Adams enrolled in Harvard College, where he graduated in 1787 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He went on to study law and was admitted to the bar in 1791. Throughout his life, he continued to read extensively and was known for his erudition and intellectual curiosity.

  • Religious Beliefs

    John Quincy Adams was raised in a devoutly religious family and had a strong personal faith throughout his life. His parents, John and Abigail Adams, were both members of the Congregational Church, and their religious beliefs had a strong influence on their son. As a child, John Quincy Adams was baptized in the Congregational Church. Later in life, he became a Unitarian, a denomination that emphasizes reason and free thought over dogma and tradition. He regularly attended church services throughout his life, and his personal papers indicate that he often read the Bible and other religious texts. Despite his strong religious convictions, Adams was also a staunch defender of the separation of church and state. He believed that the government should not favor any particular religious denomination or interfere in matters of faith. This view was reflected in his public positions and speeches, and he worked to protect the religious freedom of all Americans, regardless of their faith or lack thereof.

  • Military Service

    John Quincy Adams did not have a military career. He did serve in various political and diplomatic roles throughout his life, including as a diplomat, United States Senator, Secretary of State, and President of the United States.

  • Professional Career

    After completing his education at Harvard, Adams began practicing law, and he served as a clerk and secretary to his father, who was serving as the United States minister to the Netherlands. In 1794, Adams was admitted to the bar and began practicing law in Boston. In 1794, he was appointed as the United States minister to the Netherlands, and in 1796 he was appointed as the United States minister to Portugal. He returned to the United States in 1801 and was elected to the Massachusetts Senate. In 1802, Adams was elected to the United States House of Representatives, where he served for eight years. During his time in the House, he became a leading opponent of slavery and fought for the right to petition the government on behalf of abolitionists. In 1809, Adams was appointed as the United States minister to Russia, where he served for four years. He returned to the United States in 1817 and was appointed as the United States secretary of state by President James Monroe. In 1825, Adams was elected as the sixth president of the United States, serving one term in office. After his presidency, he served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Massachusetts for nearly 17 years until his death in 1848.

  • Personal Life & Family

    John Quincy Adams was the eldest son of President John Adams and his wife Abigail. He had two younger brothers, Charles and Thomas Boylston, and a younger sister named Susanna, who died in infancy. John Quincy's mother, Abigail, was an influential figure in his life, and they exchanged many letters throughout their lives. In 1797, John Quincy Adams married Louisa Catherine Johnson, the daughter of the United States Consul in London. Louisa was born on February 12, 1775, in London, England. She and John Quincy had four children: George Washington Adams, John Adams II, Charles Francis Adams, and Louisa Catherine Adams. John Quincy was a devoted father, and he valued education highly. He gave his children a rigorous education and encouraged them to pursue their own interests and passions. John Quincy's father, John Adams, was a Founding Father of the United States and served as the second President of the United States. His mother, Abigail, was a strong advocate for women's rights and education. John Quincy himself had a distinguished career in public service, serving as a diplomat, a U.S. Senator, and the sixth President of the United States. John Quincy Adams remained close to his family throughout his life. He was devastated by the death of his youngest son, George Washington Adams, who committed suicide in 1829. John Quincy's wife, Louisa, suffered from poor health for much of her life, and he was a devoted caregiver to her. She died on May 15, 1852, at the age of 77.
  • 02/23
    1848

    Death

    February 23, 1848
    Death date
    collapsed on the floor of the House from a stroke
    Cause of death
    Washington D.C. in Washington, District Of Columbia United States
    Death location
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  • 07/26
    1848

    Gravesite & Burial

    July 26, 1848
    Funeral date
    United First Parish Church (First Unitarian Church) 1306 Hancock St, in Quincy, Norfolk County, Massachusetts 02169, United States
    Burial location

  • Obituary

    The following excerpt is from the original obituary published for John Quincy Adams, which was printed in the New York Evening Post on February 25, 1848: Death of John Quincy Adams. It becomes our painful duty this morning to record the death of this distinguished man. He died yesterday in the Capitol, at about half-past two o'clock, P. M., after a session of the House of Representatives which he had attended in his usual health and with his usual punctuality. He had risen to address the House upon the presentation of a petition, and had spoken but a few minutes when he fell upon his desk, and almost immediately expired. His last words were, 'This is the last of earth.' Mr. Adams was born in the town of Braintree, Massachusetts, on the 11th day of July, 1767. His father was John Adams, second President of the United States, and his mother was Abigail Adams, a lady distinguished for her talents, her virtues, and her patriotism. He was the eldest of their children, and has survived them all. He was educated at Harvard College, where he graduated in 1787. After leaving college, he studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1790. In 1794, he was appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to Holland, and subsequently to Prussia. In 1802, he was elected to the Senate of the United States, and in 1809, he was appointed Minister to Russia. He held this post until 1814, when he was sent to Ghent to negotiate the treaty of peace which terminated the war with Great Britain. After his return to the United States, he was elected to Congress, and was afterwards appointed Secretary of State by President Monroe. In 1824, he was a candidate for the Presidency, and was elected by the House of Representatives, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, no candidate having received a majority of the electoral votes. He served one term, and was then succeeded by General Jackson.
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11 Memories, Stories & Photos about John

John Quincy Adams
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02/20/2023
John Quincy Adams
A portrait of John Quincy Adams, sixth President of the United States.
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President Grover Cleveland
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President Grover Cleveland
Stephen Grover Cleveland (March 18, 1837 – June 24, 1908) was the 22nd and 24th President of the United States.

President Cleveland is well known for making Labor Day a National holiday in response to the Pullman strike where over 125,000 workers went on strike and the federal government's response was to send in the military to end the strike, resulting in the deaths of 30 workers.

Just a few short days later, President Cleveland signed a bill that made Labor Day a national holiday to appease workers.
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John Quincy Adams, circa 1911
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John Quincy Adams, circa 1911
This is a portrait of John Quincy Adams, done between 1910 - 1912.
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John Quincy Adams. President
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John Quincy Adams. President
This is a drawing of John Quincy Adams. President of the United States.
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Drawing of John Quincy Adams
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Drawing of John Quincy Adams
This is a drawing of John Quincy Adams.
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John Quincy Adams, 6th presiden
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John Quincy Adams, 6th presiden
This is a lithograph of John Quincy Adams, 6th president of the United States, circa 1836.
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John Adams' Family Tree & Friends

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Other Biographies

Other John Adams Biographies

Adams, John Adams, John (Jan 4, 1875 - Jun 21, 1950) Adams, John (Born Aug 10, 1954) Adams, John (Born 1868) Adams, John (1893 - 1971) Adams, John (Oct 2, 1906 - 1978) Adams, John Adams, John Malcolm Adams, John Adams, John
Adams, John (circa 1870 - Sep 3, 1917) Adams, John (circa 1884 - Jul 9, 1917) Adams, John (circa 1920 - Dec 2, 1940) Adams, John (circa 1913 - Oct 12, 1940) Adams, John (circa 1916 - Sep 21, 1944) Adams, John (circa 1893 - Feb 17, 1917) Adams, John (Aug 13, 1925 - Feb 25, 1945) Adams, John (circa 1914 - Jun 7, 1944) Adams, John (circa 1894 - Apr 24, 1918) Adams, John (circa 1885 - Sep 27, 1918)

Other Adams Family Biographies

Adams, Jane (Born Sep 16, 1807) Adams, William A. (Born Jan 22, 1832) Adams, Hettie (Born Apr 2, 1841) Bethurum, Marietta (Born Dec 4, 1859) Adams, Charles (Sep 14, 1938 - May 20, 1915) Adams, Edwin (Born Dec 26, 1841) Adams, Selina (Born Oct 11, 1880) Adams, Adella (Born May 9, 1875) Adams, Olive (Born Sep 7, 1895) Adams, Ulysses (Born Oct 4, 1866)
Adams, Jeannetta (Born Apr 24, 1870) Adams, Dora Adams, Charles Laborn (Born Sep 29, 1888) Adams, Mary Elviria (Born Dec 2, 1868) Adams, James (Born Apr 20, 1880) Adams, Maggie (Born Jun 19, 1901) Adams, Georgia Elnora (Born Dec 9, 1883) Adams, Mertie June (Born Jun 30, 1876) Adams, Anna (Born Dec 13, 1864) Adams, Willis (Born Dec 4, 1899)
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