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John Quincy Adams: Much more than just a US President
A major contributor to American history, in spite of his four years as 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.
John Quincy Adams by Harlow Giles Unger on Amazon
This is both a relatively easy read yet very comprehensive, well researched biography of a very complex and long-serving public servant - John Quincy Adams, a US President and son of the 2nd president of the USA, John Adams.
Interesting to me, and appropriately, his four years as president, are treated in very few years. They were, indeed, the least significant four years of his entire eighty years of life. I hope you will read the book to see for yourself why I believe this to be the case.
How much do you know about John Quincy Adams? - He led a very long and productive life in our nation's history!
I look forward to your comments on John Quincy Adams, the man.
Have you read details about the life of John Quincy Adams?
An earlier John Quincy Adams biography on Amazon
This biography by Remini was the first biography I read of John Quincy Adams. I strongly recommend it as well. Being part of a series, it is not quite as detailed as the Unger book, but well worth reading.
John Quicy Adams represented Africans on the Amistad before the Supreme Court
Important John Quincy Adams links
- John Quincy Adams on Wikipedia
A great place to start to select the information you seek from the plethora of accomplishments of this great man. - Treaty of Ghent on Wikipedia
John Quincy Adams was a critical part of the treaty that ended the War of 1812 while he was Ambassador to Russia - The United States v. The Amistad
Good background information on The Amistad Case. - Offical White House website for John Quincy Adams
Interesting White House information on the 6th President - JQA Biography at National Park Service site
Adams National Historic Site JQA Biography associated with the Adams National Historical Park
Mr. Adam's Last Crusade on Amazon
This is an excellent book about the many years and many important things John Quincy Adams did AFTER he left the presidency. He spent many years in Congress, sent my his Massachusetts district, but "representing the nation!" He fought for the right of citizens to send petitions to Congress, he fought slavery, he predicted the Civil War, he defended the Africans of the Amistad before the Supreme Court - and, he died on the floor of the House - serving his nation to the very end!
John Quincy Adams, first President to be photographed
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...
John Quincy Adams on Amazon
Signing of the Treaty of Ghent - Christmas 1814; ending War of 1812
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...
Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams
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.
Related
Your Comments on this John Quincy Adams lens are appreciated! ;-)
I find this period of of American history to be fascinating. His representation of Africans is a testament to his character. It has been rumored in our family, that we are related the Adams family, that produce the two presidents, but I've never found a connection........yet.
Amistad was a powerful powerful movie. Thank you for this lens.
- Author
@MarcellaCarlton: Good for you, and me! Enjoy the movie!! ;-)
I'll have to now get the movie on the Amistad. See what you have gotten me into. Just kidding! Nice Lens.
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