Politician, lawyer, diplomat, second president of the United States (1797-1801).

Delegate to the First Continental Congress (1774). Appointed to the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence (1776).

Called to serve with Franklin and Arthur Lee as joint commissioners to France during the war, replacing Silas Deane (1777). Recalled and sent as minister to negotiate loans from the Netherlands (1780). With Franklin, one of five diplomats assigned to negotiate peace with England (1781).

Born in Braintree, Massachusetts, oldest son of John Adams and Susan (Boylston) Adams. Married in 1764 to Abigail Smith of Weymouth. Father of John Quincy Adams.