John Q Adams
John Adams had three remarkable careers in his lifetime. One as an enemy of British oppression and
champion of independence. As an American diplomat in Europe and as the first vice-president and second
president of the United States. His diary, letters and speeches showed him to be very patriotic, a stong
family man and tough-minded philosopher.
Adams was born in Quincy, Mass. on October 30, 1735. He was born in a small house that is still
standing and open to visitors. His father was a Deacon and fifth generation farmer. His parents were both
fond of reading, wrote John and give him a good education. He became the first of his family to go to
college when he entered Harvard in 1751. For the next six years he read intensly while he taught school
and studied law in Boston. In 1762 he began a fourteen year successful law career.
In 1761 he began to think, write and act against British oppression and for the right of colonies to
self-government. He was patriotic and held many local offices. In 1770 he insured that the British soldiers
accused of the Boston Massacre received a fair hearing. He defended the soldiers at their
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