John Quincy Adams

Born in 1767, he was the son of John and Abigail Adams and grew up close to the American Revolution. From a young age he spent time in Europe, and that international experience shaped a career in diplomacy and public service that began long before he became president.

Over the years he served as a diplomat, U.S. senator, secretary of state, and then the sixth president of the United States from 1825 to 1829. He is often remembered for his deep learning, disciplined habits, and detailed diary, which has become one of the great firsthand records of early American political life.

After losing the presidency, he did something no other former president has matched: he returned to national office as a member of the House of Representatives. There he became known for his energy, independence, and long fight against the expansion of slavery, remaining in Congress until his collapse at the Capitol in 1848.