John Adams
Born 1735 · Age 290
Founding Father, diplomat, first U.S. vice president (1789–1797), and second U.S. president (1797–1801). Principal advocate for independence in Congress, negotiator of the Treaty of Paris, primary author of the Massachusetts Constitution, and prolific correspondent and political writer.
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Life & Career Timeline
Birth in Braintree (now Quincy), Massachusetts
John Adams was born to John Adams Sr. and Susanna Boylston on the family farm in Braintree.
Started dame school
Began formal education at a dame school focused on The New England Primer.
Attended Braintree Latin School
Studied Latin, rhetoric, logic, and arithmetic under Joseph Cleverly (later under Joseph Marsh).
Entered Harvard College
Matriculated at Harvard (studied under Joseph Mayhew); classical studies in Greek and Latin authors.
Graduated Harvard College (A.B.)
Received A.B. degree from Harvard (classical and liberal arts education).
Taught in Worcester to fund legal studies
Worked as a schoolteacher in Worcester while contemplating vocation and saving for law study.
Began reading law under James Putnam
Started apprenticeship/mentorship in law with James Putnam of Worcester.
Received A.M. from Harvard
Awarded Master of Arts degree from Harvard.
Admitted to the bar; began law practice in Boston
Formally admitted as a lawyer and opened practice in Boston; early years slow but later prosperous.
Inherited family farm after father's death
After his father's death Adams inherited approximately 9.5 acres and the family house.
Published political essays as 'Humphrey Ploughjogger'
Wrote seven essays for Boston newspapers criticizing colonial elite and political abuses.
Married Abigail Smith
Married Abigail Smith (later Abigail Adams), beginning a lifelong intellectual and political partnership.
Authored 'Braintree Instructions' opposing Stamp Act
Wrote instructions defending colonial rights: taxation by consent and trial by jury; model for other towns.
Published 'A Dissertation on the Canon and Feudal Law'
Essays (republished) attacking the legal basis for arbitrary power; justification of opposition to Stamp Act.
Defended John Hancock (Liberty Affair)
Successfully defended merchant John Hancock against trade-violation charges, raising Adams's prominence.
Moved family to Boston to focus on law practice
Relocated to Boston (rented Brattle Street 'White House') to concentrate on growing legal career.
Won acquittal for most soldiers at Boston Massacre trial
Six soldiers acquitted and two convicted of manslaughter due to Adams's defense strategy.
Boston Massacre occurred; Adams served as defense counsel
Took on defense of British soldiers after the Boston Massacre, securing acquittals for most defendants.
Elected to Massachusetts House of Representatives
Succeeded James Bowdoin as member of the Massachusetts House (served until April 16, 1771).
Responded to Boston Tea Party and retained briefly by Dartmouth owners
Applauded the destruction of tea as necessary political action; briefly retained by owners for litigation.
Delegate to First Continental Congress
Selected as one of Massachusetts's four delegates to the First Continental Congress (Sept 5, 1774 appointment).
Nominated George Washington as Commander-in-Chief
In Congress nominated Washington (Virginia) to lead the Continental Army gathered around Boston.
Appointed chief judge of Massachusetts Superior Court (did not serve)
Appointed in October 1775 but never assumed the post; resigned in February 1777.
Became Chairman of Marine Committee
Appointed chair of committee overseeing naval affairs (Continental Board of Admiralty predecessor).
Drafted preamble to the Lee Resolution
Instrumental in wording and advocacy for congressional resolution that led to independence.
Served on 90 committees (chaired 25) in Continental Congress
Unmatched workload among delegates, enhancing his influence in the revolutionary government.
Organized Committee of Five for Declaration of Independence
Selected committee members (Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Livingston, Sherman); advocated Jefferson as principal drafter.
Authored 'Thoughts on Government'
Wrote influential pamphlet laying out republican constitutional framework and separation of powers.
Headed Board of War and Ordnance
Served as de facto Secretary of War for Congress, organizing officers, supplies, and ordnance for Continental Army.
Drafted first regulations for provisional navy
Prepared regulations to outfit armed ships for raids and naval defense for the revolutionary cause.
Seconded the Lee Resolution (for independence)
Formally seconded Richard Henry Lee's resolution declaring the colonies 'free and independent states.'
Declaration of Independence approved
Congress approved the Declaration; Adams had been a leading advocate and served on the Committee of Five.
Attended Staten Island Peace Conference
Met Admiral Lord Howe with Franklin and Rutledge; rejected British terms and insisted on independence.
Appointed American commissioner to France
Accepted position to join diplomatic mission in Europe to secure aid and alliances (replacing Silas Deane).
Set sail to France aboard frigate Boston
Departed for diplomatic mission to France with son John Quincy; voyage marked by storms and engagements with British ships.
Arrived in France as U.S. commissioner
Reached France shortly after French-American alliance (Feb 6, 1778); worked as part of the diplomatic delegation in Paris.
Departed France and returned to America (briefly)
Left France with John Quincy; returned to Braintree in August 1779 for a short visit before resuming duties.
Primary author of Massachusetts Constitution
Drafted the Massachusetts Constitution (1780), a lasting state constitution that influenced the U.S. Constitution.
Presented credentials as U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands
Became first U.S. minister to the Dutch Republic and worked to secure loans and recognition.
Negotiated Dutch loan of five million guilders
Secured a crucial loan for the United States from the Dutch, increasing financial independence from France.
Signed Treaty of Paris (U.S. independence recognized)
As part of the American negotiating team (with Franklin, Jay, Laurens), secured peace and recognition from Britain.
Appointed first U.S. Minister to Great Britain
Named first American ambassador to London (in office April 1, 1785 – Feb 20, 1788); first audience with King George III on June 1, 1785.
Published 'A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States'
Major political treatise advancing his constitutional and political theory (date cited among notable works).
Returned to the United States after decade in Europe
Came home after roughly ten-year absence to seek office in the new federal government under the Constitution.
Became first Vice President of the United States
Elected vice president under George Washington; served as President of the Senate (1789–1797).
Published 'Discourses on Davila'
Series of essays expanding on political theory, discussing dangers of pure democracy and advocating a strong executive.
Elected second President of the United States (election outcome)
Won the presidential contest (narrowly ahead of Thomas Jefferson) as Federalist nominee; term would begin March 4, 1797.
Inaugurated as 2nd U.S. President
Took office March 4, 1797 and retained Washington's cabinet (a decision he later regretted).
Nominated peace commissioners to France (Pinckney, Dana, Marshall/Gerry)
Nominated envoys to negotiate with France; one declined and was replaced (Gerry).
Proclamation: Commencement of United States Mint
Issued Proclamation 7; foreign coins were no longer legal tender under the new mint arrangements.
Revealed details of the XYZ Affair to Congress
Disclosed that American diplomats were solicited for bribes ('X, Y, and Z'), escalating tensions with France.
Signed act establishing Department of the Navy
Created the Department of the Navy; first Secretary of the Navy (Benjamin Stoddert) confirmed May 21, 1798.
Signed first of the Alien and Sedition Acts
Signed a series of acts (June–July 1798) restricting foreign residency rules and criminalizing seditious publication.
Authorized measures initiating the Quasi-War with France
Signed act authorizing US vessels to seize armed French ships; abrogated treaties with France July 7, 1798.
Signed direct tax to raise funds for defense
Congress enacted a temporary direct tax on dwellings, land, and slaves to fund defense preparations against France.
Proclaimed federal action against Fries Rebellion
Issued a proclamation calling federal force to suppress armed resistance to federal taxes in Pennsylvania.
Pardoned leaders of the Fries Rebellion
Issued pardons for rebellion leaders, angering many Federalists but commuting death sentences and avoiding executions.
Convention of 1800 (Treaty of Mortefontaine)
Signed treaty with France ending the Quasi-War and normalizing trade relations; transmitted to Senate in December.
First president to reside in the President's House (White House)
Moved into the White House (then called 'President's House' or 'Executive Mansion').
Lost presidential election of 1800 (result determined in House Feb 1801)
Charles C. Pinckney was Federalist running mate; Jefferson/Burr prevailed in the election cycle and House resolution followed after tie in Electoral College.
Began long post-presidential correspondence and retirement statesmanship
Maintained vigorous correspondence with Abigail, family, and statesmen; acted as elder statesman in Massachusetts.
Nominated John Marshall to Supreme Court
Nominated John Marshall (confirmed Jan 27, 1801) as Chief Justice, shaping the judicial branch's future.
Signed Judiciary Act of 1801
Approved act reorganizing the federal judiciary (passed by outgoing Federalist Congress).
Left office; returned to Massachusetts (Peacefield)
Completed term on March 4, 1801; retired to his estate in Quincy (Peacefield).
Shifted political affiliation toward Democratic-Republican
After Federalist decline, Adams's party affiliation shifted (text notes Federalist until c.1808 then Democratic-Republican).
Resumed friendship and correspondence with Thomas Jefferson
Eventually resumed a famous and sustained correspondence with Jefferson after estrangement following 1800 election (approximate timing).
Son John Quincy Adams elected President (6th U.S. President)
John Quincy Adams won the 1824 election, continuing the Adams political family legacy.
Final notable remark recorded
Reported last words included 'Thomas Jefferson survives' — ironic because Jefferson had died earlier that same day.
Death on July 4, 1826
Died at Peacefield (Quincy, Massachusetts) on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Inducted into Hall of Fame (posthumous recognition noted by Britannica)
Listed by Britannica as having a Hall of Fame recognition (1900) — modern historical recognition of Adams's significance.
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