Profile
John Quincy Adams: Diplomat, President and Anti-Slavery Champion
Sixth President of the United States, born on 11 July 1767
John Quincy Adams was born on 11 July 1767 in Braintree, Massachusetts, the son of future president John Adams. He witnessed the Battle of Bunker Hill as a child and spent much of his youth in Europe.
He served as US minister to several European countries and helped negotiate the treaty ending the War of 1812. As Secretary of State, he secured Florida from Spain and helped draft the Monroe Doctrine.
Elected president in 1824 after a disputed contest, he served one term. He then spent nearly two decades in the House of Representatives, where he defended the Africans of the Amistad before the Supreme Court and argued tirelessly against slavery.
Career highlights
- 1767Born in Braintree, Massachusetts: son of John Adams
- 1781Diplomatic work at 14: travels to Russia as a secretary
- 1797Minister to Prussia: one of several European postings
- 1814Treaty of Ghent: helps end the War of 1812
- 1817Secretary of State: under James Monroe
- 1825Becomes president: sixth president of the United States
- 1831Enters Congress: after leaving the White House
- 1841Amistad case: wins freedom for the Africans before the Supreme Court
- 1848Collapses in the House: and dies two days later
Did you know?He was the first president to be photographed, sitting for a portrait in the 1840s.
