John Quincy Adams

Facts, information and articles about John Quincy Adams, the sixth U.S. President

John Quincy Adams summary: John Quincy Adams was the 6th President of the United States. He was the son of John Adams, the 1st vice president who served under George Washington. John Adams Sr. went on to later become the 2nd President of the United States. He was born in Massachusetts in 1767. Adams traveled as a youth, and attended schools in both Amsterdam and France. He attended Harvard College and later studied law. Adams graduated with his degree and then went on and practiced law for several years. A short time later he became a minister to the Netherlands. Following that appointment, he became a minister to Prussia as well. He served as a senator from 1803 to 1808, and was later named minister to Russia and then to Great Britain. He served as secretary of state under James Monroe from 1817 to 1825.

After many years in different political offices he went on to run for another. In 1824, John Adams ran for President against Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay, and William Crawford. However, a majority winner could not be determined, as Jackson and Adams both had many popular and electoral votes, so the vote was sent to the House of Representatives. Clay withdrew from the race, giving his support to Adams, and Adams won the vote. He chose Clay as his secretary of state. During his time as president, he negotiated several significant treaties. He served in the House of Representatives for many years following his presidency, and he died in 1848.