Lived

July 11, 1767 – February 23, 1848

Home State

Massachusetts

Party

Democratic-Republican / National Republican

Vice President

John C. Calhoun

John Quincy Adams, son of the second President, was a diplomat, senator, and Secretary of State who shaped the Monroe Doctrine and negotiated the Adams–Onís Treaty. Elected in 1824 by the House after no candidate won an Electoral College majority, he championed federal investment in infrastructure and education but saw most of his program rejected. After leaving the presidency he served nine terms in the House, led the fight to lift the Gag Rule on anti-slavery petitions, and argued the Amistad case before the Supreme Court, becoming a moral force against slavery. Minister to the Netherlands, Prussia, Russia, and Great Britain; U.S. Senator; principal author of the Monroe Doctrine as Monroe's Secretary of State; negotiator of the Adams–Onís Treaty.

Harvard College, 1787.

Championed federal investment in roads, canals, and a national university — proposals Congress mostly rejected. After leaving the presidency, served nine terms in the House and led the successful fight to lift the 'Gag Rule' on anti-slavery petitions; argued and won the Amistad case before the Supreme Court. Signed the Tariff of 1828 (the 'Tariff of Abominations'), which fueled the Nullification Crisis.

His election was denounced by Jackson supporters as a 'Corrupt Bargain' after Henry Clay swung the House vote and was then named Secretary of State. His domestic agenda stalled and he lost decisively to Jackson in 1828.