John Quincy Adams

Profession: 6th US President

Nationality:

Political Party: Federalist, Democratic-Republican
Political Titles: Secretary of state, Minister to Prussia, Minister to Russia, Minister to the Netherlands, Minister to Great Britain, Senator from Massachusetts

Presidential Term: March 4, 1825 - March 4, 1829
Preceded By: James Monroe
Succeeded By: Andrew Jackson

Biography: The son of former President John Adams and Abigail Adams, he served as the 6th President of the United States (1825 to 1829). Prior to this he held several overseas postings on behalf of the United States.

Adams was elected in a controversial four-way election in 1824 in which he lost the popular vote but won the electoral college count. As secretary of state, he played an important role in negotiating key treaties, most notably the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the War of 1812.

His ambitions to modernize the US economy were stymied by an uncooperative Congress and a lack of patronage networks. Despite this he has been portrayed as the exemplar and moral leader in an era of modernization. He lost his 1828 bid for re-election to rival Andrew Jackson, who had accused him of winning his term in 1824 on the basis of a "corrupt bargain."

Adams is the only ex-President to go on to serve in the House of Representatives after his term. He served 17 years for Massachusetts until he died in office in 1848. During this period he was a strong opponent to slavery.

Born: July 11, 1767
Birthplace: Braintree, Massachusetts, USA
Star Sign: Cancer

Died: February 23, 1848 (aged 80)
Cause of Death: Stroke