Key Facts
- Term
- 1825--1829
- Party
- Democratic-Republican / National Republican
- Vice President
- John C. Calhoun
- First Lady
- Louisa Adams
- Home State
- Massachusetts
- Born
- 1767
- Died
- 1848
Biography
John Quincy Adams was born in 1767 in Braintree, Massachusetts, the son of President John Adams.
Adams won the contentious 1824 election despite losing both the popular and electoral votes to Andrew Jackson.
After losing his reelection bid, Adams did something unprecedented: he returned to Washington as a congressman and served with distinction for 17 years, becoming a fierce opponent of slavery.
Key Events & Accomplishments
- Won the presidency through the House of Representatives after the disputed 1824 election
- Proposed an ambitious program of internal improvements
- Signed the Tariff of 1828 ("Tariff of Abominations")
- After presidency, served 17 years in Congress fighting against slavery
- Defended the Amistad captives before the Supreme Court (1841)
Election Results
| Year | Opponent | Electoral Vote | Popular Vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1824 | Andrew Jackson, William Crawford, Henry Clay | 84-99 (won in House) | Lost popular vote by ~10% |
Notable Quotes
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.”
“Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman, before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air.”
Did You Know?
- He is the only president to serve in Congress after leaving the White House.
- Adams reportedly liked to skinny-dip in the Potomac River each morning.
- He was the first president to be photographed (a daguerreotype taken in 1843, after his presidency).