John Adams
October 30, 1735 – July 4, 1826
John Adams was a Founding Father and the second president of the United States, serving from 1797 to 1801. Before his presidency he was a leader of the American Revolution, a diplomat in Europe, and the first vice president of the United States from 1789 to 1797. As a lawyer he defended British soldiers against murder charges arising from the Boston Massacre, and he assisted Thomas Jefferson in drafting the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
Biography
John Adams was an American lawyer, diplomat and Founding Father who was the second president of the United States. A leader of the Massachusetts patriots, he served in the Continental Congress and helped draft and push through the Declaration of Independence.
As a diplomat in Europe he helped negotiate the 1783 Treaty of Paris that ended the Revolutionary War, and was the first US minister to Britain. He was George Washington's vice president from 1789 to 1797.
His presidency from 1797 to 1801 was dominated by the Quasi-War with France, which he settled by negotiation, and by the Alien and Sedition Acts. He lost the 1800 election to Thomas Jefferson. He died on 4 July 1826, the same day as Jefferson.
Offices held
George Washington Succeeded by
Thomas Jefferson
Affiliations
Party membership
Education
Family
John Adams
