John Adams

Author Code: AJAD

First American Vice-President and second President (1797-1801), who had been an active revolutionary, and both drafter and signer of the Declaration Of Independence. Served as a delegate to the First and Second Continental Congresses (1774-1777). Adams helped to negotiate peace with Britain and was subsequently appointed the first U.S. Minister to the Court Of St. James (1785). While in England he published his Defence of the Constitution of Government of the United States of America (1787), which influenced his subsequent election as Vice-President in 1789. Adams became affiliated with the Federalists (favouring a strong central government) and was elected President in 1796. During the next four years, he led the country through a period of crisis, including the French Revolution which he opposed. After his defeat in 1800, he retired to his estate in Massachusetts.