John Adams: The first vice president and second president of the United StatesAn overview of John Adams.(more)See all videos for this articleJohn Adams (born October 30 [October 19, Old Style], 1735, Braintree [now in Quincy], [U.S.]—died July 4, 1826, , Massachusetts, U.S.) was an early advocate of from Great Britain, a major figure in the (1774–77), the author of the Massachusetts (1780), a signer of the (1783), the first American to the Court of (1785–88), and the first (1789–97) and second (1797–1801) of the . Although Adams was regarded by his contemporaries as one of the most significant statesmen of the revolutionary era, his reputation faded in the 19th century, only to ascend again during the last half of the 20th century. The modern edition of his correspondence prompted a rediscovery of his bracing honesty and pungent way with words, his importance as a political thinker, his realistic perspective on American , and his patriarchal role as founder of . Early life Adams, John: birthplaceThe birthplace of John Adams, in Quincy, Massachusetts.(more)Adams was the eldest of the three sons of Deacon John Adams and Susanna Boylston of , Massachusetts. His father was only a farmer and shoemaker, but the could trace its lineage back to the first generation of settlers in . A local selectman and a leader in the community, Deacon Adams encouraged his eldest son to aspire toward a career in the ministry. In keeping with that goal, Adams graduated from in 1755. For the next three years, he taught in , Massachusetts, while contemplating his future. He eventually chose law rather than the ministry and in 1758 moved back to Braintree, then soon began practicing law in nearby. In 1764 Adams married , a minister’s daughter from neighboring . Intelligent, well-read, vivacious, and just as fiercely independent as her new husband, became a confidante and political partner who helped to stabilize and sustain the ever-irascible and highly volatile Adams throughout his long career. The letters between them afford an extended glimpse into their deepest thoughts and emotions and provide modern readers with the most revealing record of personal intimacy between husband and wife in the revolutionary era. Typical of their epistolary exchange was Abigail’s lament regarding John’s prolonged absence in her letter to him of November 27, 1775: Colonel Warren returned last week to Plymouth, so that I shall not hear anything from you until he goes back again, which will not be till the last of this month. He damped my spirits greatly by telling me that the court had prolonged your stay another month. I was pleasing myself with the thought that you would soon be upon your return. It is in vain to repine. I hope the public will reap what I sacrifice. Their first child, Abigail Amelia, was born in 1765. Their first son, , arrived two years later. Two other sons, Thomas Boylston and Charles, followed shortly thereafter. (Another child, Susanna, did not survive infancy.), John Adams (October 30, 1735 – July 4, 1826) was a Founding Father and the second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801. Before his presidency, he was a leader of the American Revolution that achieved independence from Great Britain., John Adams was the first vice president (1789–97) and second president (1797–1801) of the United States. He was an early advocate of American independence and a major figure in the Continental Congress..