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for the great measure of independence is Mr. John Adams ... I
call him the Atlas of American independence. He it was who sustained
the debate, and by force of his reasoning demonstrated not only
the justice, but the expediency of the measure."
Richard Stockton (attributed), New
Jersey delegate
to the Second Continental Congress, circa 1776
|
 Born |
October
19, 1735, Braintree (now Quincy), Massachusetts, son of John Adams
and Susanna Boylston [Adams]. |
| Education |
Attended
Dame and Latin School, graduated from Harvard College (1755); studied
law and was admitted to the Massachusetts bar (1758). |
| Religion |
Unitarian |
| Family |
At
the age of 28 married Abigail Smith on October 25, 1764; they had
five children: Abigail Amelia Adams (1765), John Quincy Adams (1767),
Susanna Adams (1768), Charles Adams (1770), and Thomas Adams (1772).
|
| Accomplishments |
School
Master (1755-58)
Law practice (1758-1771)
General Court [Massachusetts House
of Representatives] (1770-71)
Continental Congress (1774-1777)
Chairman of the Board of War and Ordnance (1775-1777)
Commissioner to France (1778-1779)
Minister to the Netherlands (1780-1783)
Minister to Great Britain (1785-88)
Vice President of the United States (1789-97)
President of the United States (1797-1801) |
| Died |
July
4, 1826, Quincy, Massachusetts, where he is buried. |
| Last
Words
| "Thomas
Jefferson still lives." |
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