John Adams

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As the second president of the United States and the first vice president, John Adams had experienced various kinds of lives of different social positions. Adams, in his early years, tried diverse professions like writer, lawyer, public speaker, and congressman. Later, he became one of the leaders of several political fields, such as the American Revolution and foreign relationships, whose contributions had influenced the United States Constitution. "People and nations are forged in the fires of adversity," said by him, John Adams was more admirable to be a political philosopher than a politician. ("John Adams")

John Adams was born in Braintree (now Quincy), Massachusetts, on October 30, 1735, and he is the first of three children in his family. Adams' father Deacon John Adams was a humble farmer, who is also successful in career as a local public worker. Although Adams considered the choice of entering the ministry, which his father highly supported, he still decided to study law instead, then he entered Harvard and received his bachelor's degree at the age of twenty. In order to develop his legal practice as a lawyer, Adams participated in the town government, and learned to deal with the town affairs. Meanwhile, he was also contributing essays to newspapers offices, which did great benefits for Adams' following life as well. (Shaw 23-24)

When Adams was twenty-nine years old, he married Abigail Smith, who was born into a family of great prestige, and the daughter of a minister. Although most of her education was gained from her grandmother, she was knowledgeable and as politically smart as her husband. Hundreds of the letters between the couple showed that Abigail did provide Adams with significant assistan...

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...dent of the United States later as well. (Shaw 221)

President Adams' final resting place is a crypt beneath the United First Parish Church, which located in his hometown, Quincy. Before passing away, he whispered his last words:" Thomas Jefferson survives." However, Jefferson actually had died a few hours earlier than him. (Shaw, 246)

Works Cited

"John Adams". The White House. Web. 4 May. 2011.

John Adams. Dir. Tom Hooper. Prod. David Coatsworth and Steve Shareshian.

Playtone and HBO Films, 2008. Film.

Kloppenberg, James. "The Journal of American History." Rev. of John Adams. Dir.

Tom Hooper. Prod. David Coatsworth and Steve Shareshian. Playtone and HBO

Films, 2008. Film. (HBO, http://www.hbo.com/films/johnadams/)

Shaw, Peter. The Character of John Adams. New York: University of North Carolina

Press, 1977. Print

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