10 Fascinating Facts About John Quincy Adams

John Quincy Adams was the first son of a president to become president himself.

Despite growing up in a political family, Adams initially aspired to become a poet and a professor of rhetoric.

Adams was an avid swimmer and often took early morning dips in the Potomac River during his presidency.

He was the first president to be photographed while in office.

Adams had a pet alligator that he kept in the White House.

He was an accomplished linguist and could speak several languages fluently, including French, German, and Dutch.

Adams had a unique daily routine of waking up at 4 am and going for a walk around the White House grounds.

He was the first president to be inaugurated wearing long trousers instead of knee breeches.

Adams had a love for astronomical observation and often used his telescope to study the night sky.

He was an early proponent of the abolition of slavery and served as a defense attorney for slaves seeking freedom.

Adams’ wife, Louisa Catherine Adams, was the only first lady born outside of the United States until Melania Trump in 1970.

He once proclaimed, I study war so that my sons may study mathematics.

Adams was an avid reader and had an extensive collection of books, which he later donated to the Library of Congress.

He served as a professor of rhetoric at Harvard University after his presidency.

Adams was the first president to write an autobiography, titled Memoirs of John Quincy Adams.

10 Fascinating Facts About John Quincy Adams part 2

He was the only president to serve in the House of Representatives after his presidency.

Adams was known for his sharp wit and often engaged in verbal debates with his political opponents.

He was the first president to propose a national system of education.

Adams once acquired a pet silkworm and tried to cultivate silk in the White House.

He was an avid diarist and wrote a daily journal for nearly 70 years.

Adams served as Secretary of State under President James Monroe and negotiated the Adams-Onís Treaty, acquiring Florida from Spain.

He was an early advocate for women’s rights and supported the movement for suffrage.

Adams enjoyed playing billiards and often hosted billiards tournaments at the White House.

He was an original member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Adams was known for his strict daily exercise regimen, which included calisthenics and horseback riding.

He was the first president to be inaugurated on a Monday.

Adams was a strong advocate for American artists and encouraged the development of a national art collection.

He had a pet parrot named Old Whitey that reportedly had a foul mouth and often squawked obscenities.

Adams founded the House Office Building, which is now part of the U.S. Capitol complex.

He coined the term Amphibious Operations while serving as Secretary of State.

Adams was the first president to have his photograph taken while in office.

He was an early advocate for the construction of a national railway system.

Adams had a passion for horticulture and enjoyed tending to his garden at the White House.

He was the first president to have a father who was also a president.

Adams once remarked, If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.

He was the first president to take the oath of office on a book of law instead of a Bible during his second inauguration.

Adams was an accomplished poet and published a collection of his poems titled Poems of Religion and Society.

He established the Smithsonian Institution, one of the world’s largest research and museum complexes.

Adams regularly corresponded with his political opponent, Thomas Jefferson, and they developed a deep friendship.

He served as an ambassador to the Netherlands and later to Russia.

Adams was the first president to be photographed while in the presidential office.

He was known for his unconventional sense of fashion and often wore mismatched socks.

Adams was an advocate for free public education and promoted the establishment of public schools for all children.

He had a lifelong fear of being buried alive and requested that a string be attached to his finger after his death to ensure he wasn’t mistakenly buried.

Adams once said, If your actions speak louder than words, let your words be silent and let your actions do the talking.