John Adams was born on October 30, 1735, in Braintree, Massachusetts. His father, a farmer and deacon, hoped that Adams would enter the clergy, but his Harvard professors thought his propensity ...

Between 1778 and 1788, John Adams served his country as a diplomat in France, the Netherlands, and Great Britain. His independent, unbending temperament was not ideal for diplomacy, and his ...

John Adams expected great things from his eldest son, John Quincy. "You came into life with advantages which will disgrace you if your success is mediocre. ... And if you do not rise to the head ...