Getting to Know John Adams

            Stubborn, paranoid, anti-social. Moral, intellectual, fair. Though these terms may seem dissimilar, they have all been used to describe John Adams.

John Adams, the second president of the United States, was an incredibly interesting individual. Adams was not charismatic- he was not a figurehead of democracy (he was actually not even an advocate of democracy). But he was intelligent- his writing talents earned him the duty of writing literature to educate the public about the Stamp Act, a duty he was originally hesitant to accept. After being elected as a delegate for the first and second Continental Congress, Adams was appointed to help prepare the Declaration of Independence. He also served on ninety Continental Congressional committees, heading over twenty of those. It was Adams who nominated George Washington as leader of the Continental Army. Though the importance of Adams’ influence on our nation during its formative years is undeniable, his personality often caused others to doubt and dislike him.   

Stubborn

“Thanks to God that he gave me stubbornness when I know I am right.” –John Adams

            Since childhood, John Adams was known for his stubborn nature. According to an anecdote frequently told by Adams’ father, a farmer, John Jr. asserted he wanted to be a farmer as well. Convinced John was squandering his intellect, John Sr. took his son out into the fields one day for a grueling day’s work. Much to his chagrin, upon returning to their home, John Jr. enthusiastically stated that he still loved farming!

            Later on in his life, while Adams was a student at Harvard, he returned home to Boston one winter break during a smallpox outbreak. At that time, undergoing inoculation for a disease meant spending weeks in the hospital. Rather than miss school, Adams took a chance and refused inoculation.

            It should be noted that Adams’ stubbornness often worked in his favor throughout his political career. It did, however, often earn him the dislike and disapproval of his peers.

  

Anti-Social

 “There are few people in this world with whom I can converse” –J.A.

            Many people also viewed John Adams as anti-social. He enjoyed living an isolated lifestyle, keeping much to himself. It is speculated that Adams suffered from depression. He suffered a nervous breakdown in 1756 while operating his law practice. At the time, doctors believed that his breakdown resulted from being stressed and working too hard. Adams would not have flourished in modern day politics, where charm and personality are key

Paranoid

“…if any persons shall unlawfully combine or conspire together, with intent to oppose any measure or measures of the government of the United States…”

“…if any person shall write, print, utter, or publish….false, scandalous, and malicious writing or writings against the government of the United States, or either house of the Congress of the United States, or the President of the United States, with intent to defame…”

-An Act for the Punishment of Certain Crimes Against the United States (Sedition Act)

            Evidence of John Adams’ alleged paranoid nature culminates with his passing of the Alien & Sedition Acts in 1798. During John Adams’ presidency, he was constantly concerned with others’ negative opinions of him. Convinced the citizens were “out to get him”, Adams passed the Alien & Sedition Acts. The Alien Act made it legal for the president to deport whomever he wanted with no reason required. The Sedition Act made it illegal to “conspire” against the government. The Act went so far as to criminalize rumors about and criticisms of the government. The Acts resulted in fierce opposition and Adams was not reelected. 

Moral & Fair

“Always stand on principle, even if you stand alone” –J.A.

            John Adams was an extremely moral man. Growing up on his family’s farm, he developed a strong work ethic and sense of determination. Throughout the rest of his life, he credited his upbringing as the sole motivator behind his honorable lifestyle. He published several essays on agrarian virtues and values.

      Adams also strongly believed in fairness. After the Boston Massacre, the town of Boston had a difficult time finding a defense attorney for the accused British soldiers. Adams, though unenthusiastically, accepted the role. He believed that everyone deserved a fair trial, regardless of the situation. Adams did a fine job defending the British soldiers and they were all acquitted. The fact that Adams was able to look past his own identity and citizenship is a testament to his adherence to justice. 

Intellectual

“You will never be alone with a poet in your pocket” -J.A.

“I read my eyes out and can’t read half enough…the more one reads the more one sees we have to read” -J.A.

            Born to a Harvard-educated father, John Adams learned to read at an early age. He attended a “dame” primary school, led by a single female in the community. Later, he attended Latin school in preparation for college. Encouraged by his father, Adams enrolled in Harvard at age 15. After graduating, Adams taught at a Latin school during the day and studied law by night. He did have a bad habit of selecting the brighter students to lead the class while he read and wrote at his desk. Throughout his life, Adams published literature on social and political issues. 

Though often overlooked when discussing the great minds of politics or early presidents, Adams contributed a great deal to our country, albeit in his own way.