John Quincy Adams: Much more than just a US President

I just finished the Unger biography of John Quincy Adams, my third specific biography on him... in addition to several other readings on the Adams family. I find JQA especially fascinating because he continued to act and live his principles is spite of what was going on around him - which was often very chaotic in terms of both national and international terms as well as in his immediate world.

He traveled diplomatically as a teenager with his father and on his own, he worked for George Washington, he was in Congress with Abraham Lincoln, and he served in Congress for many years AFTER his four years as US President... just a couple of his many life highlights! ;-)

Join me on this journey of the Life of John Quincy Adams.

I took the photo of my copy of this book, earlier today.

I look forward to your comments on John Quincy Adams, the man.

Have you read details about the life of John Quincy Adams?

JQA, 6th President of the United States

John Quincy Adams served as 6th President of the United States, from March 4, 1825 to March 4, 1829.

George Washington appointed Adams as Ambassador to The Netherlands as the age of 26.

He served as Ambassador to Prussia December 5, 1797 to May 5, 1801 and Ambassador to Russia from November 5, 1809 to April 28, 1814.

JQA served as Secretary of State in the James Monroe Administration from September 22, 1917 to March 4, 1825.

Adams served in Congress as both a Senator and Congressman from Massachusetts.

Image courtesy of WIkimedia Commons: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:John_Quincy_Adam...

United States Ambassador to Russia shakes hands with Admiral of the First Fleet James Gabieer at the signing of the Treaty of Ghent ending the War of 1812.

Painting held by the Smithsonian American Art Museum, oil on canvas, painted by Amedee Forestier

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Signing_of_Treat...

Wife of John Quincy Adams

Louisa (1775-1852) was the daughter of an Englishwoman and an American merchant. She was the only First Lady born outside the United States. Her father, Joshua Johnson, was from Maryland. We served as United State consul general in England after 1790. Her brother, Thomas was later Governor and a United States Supreme Court Justice.

John Quincy and Louisa had four children:

- George Washington Adams (1801-1829) - a lawyer

- John Adams II (1803-1824) - presidential aide

- Charles Francis Adams (1807-1886) - diplomat, public official, and author [Including Ambassador to England under Abraham Lincoln and his Secretary of State, W.H. Seward]

- Louisa Catherine Adams (1811-1812) - born, lived and died in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Click on image to see source of image and additional information.