President 6 of 47

John Quincy Adams

1825–1829 · Democratic-Republican · Massachusetts

A president's son who became president — then a fierce voice in Congress against slavery.

Lived: 1767–1848
Vice president: John C. Calhoun
Nickname: Old Man Eloquent
Home state: Massachusetts

“Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone.”
Often attributed to Adams's journals and later speeches

The story

John Quincy Adams was the sixth president of the United States. He was the son of John Adams, the second president — the first son of a president to become president himself. He came from Massachusetts, the same state as his father. He served one term, from 1825 to 1829. Andrew Jackson beat him in the next election.

The 1824 election was a four-way race. Four serious candidates split the vote, and nobody won a majority. The Constitution sent the race to the House of Representatives. The House of Representatives chose him. Jackson had more votes, but Adams won in the House. After Adams named Henry Clay secretary of state, Jackson's supporters cried the corrupt bargain.

Most presidents retire. Adams did something unusual: he served in the House of Representatives after the White House, representing Massachusetts for many years. People later called him Old Man Eloquent because he was a brilliant speaker in Congress. In 1848 he collapsed after a stroke on the House floor and died at his desk. He was still serving.

Why it matters

He shows that public service can last longer than one title. His best work came after the White House.

Know this for the quiz

The questions come from this page — the story, these facts, the quote, and the labels up top.

He was a Democratic-Republican, like the early presidents after Washington.
His vice president was John C. Calhoun, who later served under Jackson too.
Before he was president, Adams was secretary of state under James Monroe and helped shape the ideas behind the Monroe Doctrine.
He kept a diary for most of his life. It fills many volumes, and historians still use it.
He liked to swim in the Potomac River, sometimes leaving his clothes on the bank.
He wanted the country to build a national university, an observatory, and better roads.
He argued a famous Supreme Court case about Africans on the slave ship Amistad. He helped win their freedom.
People called him Old Man Eloquent because he was a powerful speaker, especially later in Congress.

Fun fact

His favorite exercise in Washington was swimming in the Potomac River. He sometimes left his clothes on the bank!

Check for understanding

20 questions from the lesson above. Misses come with a short explanation — then the lesson is yours.

Question 1 of 20

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The story

Why it matters

Check for understanding

Who was the sixth president of the United States?