John Adams (October 30, 1735 (O.S.

October 19, 1735) – July 4, 1826) was an American Founding Father, and the second President of the United States (1797–1801).

He is also a lawyer, statesman, diplomat, political theorist, and a leading champion of independence in 1776.

Hailing from New England, Adams, a prominent lawyer and public figure in Boston, is highly educated and represents Enlightenment values promoting republicanism.

A Federalist, he is highly influential and one of the key Founding Fathers of the United States.

Adams comes to prominence in the early stages of the American Revolution.

As a delegate from Massachusetts to the Continental Congress, he plays a leading role in persuading Congress to declare independence and assists Thomas Jefferson in drafting the Declaration of Independence.

As a diplomat in Europe, he is a major negotiator of the eventual peace treaty with Great Britain, and chiefly responsible for obtaining important loans from Amsterdam bankers.

A political theorist and historian, Adams largely writes the Massachusetts Constitution in 1780, which soon after ends slavery in Massachusetts, but is in Europe when the federal Constitution is drafted on similar principles later in the decade.

One of his greatest roles is as a judge of character: in 1775, he nominates George Washington to be commander-in-chief, and 25 years later nominates John Marshall to be Chief Justice of the United States.

Adams' revolutionary credentials secure him two terms as George Washington's vice president and his own election in 1796 as the second president.

During his one term, he encounters ferocious attacks by the Jeffersonian Republicans, as well as the dominant faction in his own Federalist Party led by his bitter enemy Alexander Hamilton.

Adams signs the controversial Alien and Sedition Acts, and builds up the army and navy especially in the face of an undeclared naval war (called the "Quasi-War") with France, 1798–1800.

The major accomplishment of his presidency is his peaceful resolution of the conflict in the face of Hamilton's opposition.

In 1800, Adams is defeated for reelection by Thomas Jefferson and retires to Massachusetts.

He later resumes his friendship with Jefferson.

He and his wife, Abigail Adams, found an accomplished family line of politicians, diplomats, and historians now refer to as the Adams political family.

Adams is the father of John Quincy Adams, the sixth President of the United States.

His achievements have received greater recognition in modern times, though his contributions were not initially as celebrated as those of other Founders.