John Quincy Adams

(1767-1848) diplomat, U.S. Senator, Secretary of State, President of the United States, U.S. Congressman

Before entering the presidency, John Quincy Adams held several important diplomatic posts. He took part in the negotiations that ended the War of 1812. As Secretary of State, he helped develop the Monroe Doctrine. Quarrels within his party hampered Adams as President, and he made little progress with his ambitious legislative program. His years in the White House were perhaps the unhappiest period of Adams' life. A year after leaving the White House, Adams was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he spent the rest of his life -- probably one of the happiest periods of his life.

Chronology of His Life and Career
July 11, 1767	Born in Braintree (now Quincy), Massachusetts.
1787	Graduated from Harvard College.
1794	Became Minister to The Netherlands.
1796	Appointed Minister to Portugal, but never took the post.
July 26, 1797	Married Louisa Catherine Johnson.
1803	Elected to the U.S. Senate.
1809	Appointed Minister to Russia.
1814-1815	Helped negotiate peace with Great Britain.
1815	Named Minister to Great Britain.
1817	Appointed Secretary of State.
1825	Elected President of the United States.
1830	Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
February 23, 1848	Died in Washington, D.C.

John Quincy Adams was the first son of a President (John Adams) to himself become President.