John Adams (disambiguation) facts for kids

John Adams (1735–1826) was the second president of the United States. He was an important leader during the American Revolution and helped create the new country. Because "John Adams" is a common name, many other notable people throughout history have also been called John Adams. This article will tell you more about the famous president and some other interesting people who share his name.

John Adams: Second U.S. President

John Adams was born in Massachusetts in 1735. He became a lawyer and was very involved in the fight for American independence from Great Britain. He helped write the Declaration of Independence. He also traveled to Europe to get support for the new United States.

After the American Revolution, John Adams became the first Vice President under President George Washington. In 1797, he was elected as the second President of the United States. During his time as president, he worked to keep the young country strong and peaceful. He passed away on July 4, 1826, exactly 50 years after the Declaration of Independence was signed.

His Family

The Adams family has many famous members. John Adams had a son who also became president.

• John Quincy Adams (1767–1848) was the sixth president of the United States. He was the son of President John Adams.
• John Adams II (1803–1834) was the son of President John Quincy Adams. This made him the grandson of President John Adams.
• John Quincy Adams II (1833–1894) was an American politician. He was the grandson of President John Quincy Adams.

Other Notable People Named John Adams

Many other people named John Adams have made a mark in history. Here are just a few examples from different fields.

People in Politics

Several people named John Adams have been involved in politics, both in the United States and other countries.

• John Adams (New York politician) (1778–1854) was a congressman from New York.
• John H. Addams (1822–1881) was a state senator in Illinois. He was also the father of Jane Addams, a famous social reformer.
• John Adams, 1st Baron Adams (1890–1960) was a British politician and public servant.

People in Academics

Some John Adams have been important educators and thinkers.

• John Adams (educational writer) (c. 1750–1814) was a Scottish writer. He created books for young readers.
• John Adams (educationist) (1857–1934) was a Scottish educator. He was the Principal of the Institute of Education.
• John Cranford Adams (1903–1986) was an American educator. He served as president of Hofstra University.

People in Arts and Entertainment

The name John Adams also belongs to many creative people.

• John "Grizzly" Adams (1812–1860) was an American mountain man. He was famous for training wild animals.
• John Clayton Adams (1840–1906) was an English artist. He was known for his beautiful landscape paintings.
• John Adams (composer) (born 1947) is an American composer. He writes classical music and operas.
• John Luther Adams (born 1953) is another American composer. His music is often inspired by nature.
• John L. Adams (born 1973) is an American actor and comedian.

People in Law

Several John Adams have worked in the legal field as lawyers or judges.

• John Jay Adams (1860–1926) was an American lawyer and judge.
• John R. Adams (born 1955) is a U.S. federal judge.

People in the Military

Many John Adams have served in the military.

• John Worthington Adams (1764–1837) was a British general who served in India.
• John Adams (Confederate Army officer) (1825–1864) was an officer in the U.S. Army.
• John G. B. Adams (1841–1900) received the Medal of Honor for his bravery during the Civil War.

People in Religion

Some John Adams have been important religious figures.

• John Adams (Protestant martyr) (died 1546) was a Protestant who was killed for his beliefs.
• John Adams (Catholic martyr) (c. 1543–1586) was an English Catholic priest who was also killed for his faith.
• John Hurst Adams (1927–2018) was an American civil rights activist. He was also a Bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

People in Science

The name John Adams is also found among scientists and researchers.

• John Adams (physicist) (1920–1984) was a British physicist. He worked on particle accelerators.
• John Couch Adams (1819–1892) was a British mathematician and astronomer. He helped discover the planet Neptune.
• John Franklin Adams (1843–1912) was a British amateur astronomer. He created maps of the stars.

People in Sports

Many athletes have been named John Adams.

• John Adams (offensive lineman) (1921–1969) was an American football player.
• John Adams (ice hockey, born 1920) (1920–1996) was a Canadian ice hockey player. He played in the NHL for the Montreal Canadiens.
• John H. Adams (jockey) (1914–1995) was an American Hall of Fame jockey.
• John Adams (basketball) (1917–1979) was an All-American basketball player.

Other Interesting People

Here are a few more unique individuals named John Adams.

• John Adams (mutineer) (1767–1829) was a sailor aboard HMS Bounty. He was part of a famous mutiny.
• John Adams (glassmaker) (1823–1886) was a pioneer in glass manufacturing.
• John H. Adams (environmentalist) (born 1936) was a founding director of the Natural Resources Defense Council. This group works to protect the environment.

Other Uses of the Name

The name John Adams is also used for places and things.

• Johnadams is the name of a minor planet.
• USS John Adams is the name of several ships in the U.S. Navy.
• John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science is a physics research institute in the UK. It is named after the physicist John Adams.
• John Adams Institute (Netherlands) is an organization in the Netherlands that promotes American culture.