Henry Adams

author

Henry Adams

1838–1918

An American historian and man of letters from the Adams political family, he is best remembered for turning his own life into one of the sharpest memoirs in U.S. literature. His work blends history, politics, and personal reflection with unusual wit and skepticism.

13 Audiobooks

The Education of Henry Adams

The Education of Henry Adams

by Henry Adams

History of the United States of America, Volume 8 (of 9) : During the second administration of James Madison

History of the United States of America, Volume 8 (of 9) : During the second administration of James Madison

by Henry Adams

Democracy, an American novel

Democracy, an American novel

by Henry Adams

History of the United States of America, Volume 6 (of 9) : During the first administration of James Madison

History of the United States of America, Volume 6 (of 9) : During the first administration of James Madison

by Henry Adams

History of the United States of America, Volume 1 (of 9) : During the first administration of Thomas Jefferson

History of the United States of America, Volume 1 (of 9) : During the first administration of Thomas Jefferson

by Henry Adams

Mont-Saint-Michel and Chartres

Mont-Saint-Michel and Chartres

by Henry Adams

History of the United States of America, Volume 7 (of 9) : During the second administration of James Madison

History of the United States of America, Volume 7 (of 9) : During the second administration of James Madison

by Henry Adams

History of the United States of America, Volume 3 (of 9) : During the second administration of Thomas Jefferson

History of the United States of America, Volume 3 (of 9) : During the second administration of Thomas Jefferson

by Henry Adams

History of the United States of America, Volume 5 (of 9) : During the first administration of James Madison

History of the United States of America, Volume 5 (of 9) : During the first administration of James Madison

by Henry Adams

History of the United States of America, Volume 2 (of 9) : During the first administration of Thomas Jefferson

History of the United States of America, Volume 2 (of 9) : During the first administration of Thomas Jefferson

by Henry Adams

History of the United States of America, Volume 4 (of 9) : During the second administration of Thomas Jefferson

History of the United States of America, Volume 4 (of 9) : During the second administration of Thomas Jefferson

by Henry Adams

Esther

Esther

by Henry Adams

The Life of Albert Gallatin

The Life of Albert Gallatin

by Henry Adams

About the author

Born in 1838 into the prominent Adams family, he was the grandson of President John Quincy Adams and the great-grandson of President John Adams. He studied at Harvard, traveled in Europe, and went on to build a career as a historian, journalist, and essayist.

He taught medieval history at Harvard and wrote major historical works, including a notable multi-volume history of the administrations of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. He also wrote biographies, political commentary, and reflections on modern life that helped make him an important voice in American intellectual history.

He is especially remembered for The Education of Henry Adams, an autobiographical work published privately in 1907 and more widely after his death in 1918. The book’s restless, questioning view of history and progress has kept it widely read ever since.