Portland Public Library

The remarkable education of John Quincy Adams, Phyllis Lee Levin

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 507-515) and index

individual biography

illustrations

index present

non fiction

The remarkable education of John Quincy Adams

bibliography

896806899

Phyllis Lee Levin

A patriot by birth, John Quincy Adams's destiny was foreordained. He was not only "the greatest traveler of his age," but his country's most gifted linguist and most experienced diplomat. John Quincy's world encompassed the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the early and late Napoleonic Age. As his diplomat father's adolescent clerk and secretary, he met everyone who was anyone in Europe, including America's own luminaries Franklin and Jefferson. All this made coming back to America a great challenge. Though he was determined to make his own career as a lawyer, he was soon sent abroad, at Washington's appointment, as well as beginning a deeply troubled though loving marriage. But through all his emotional turmoil and financial hardship, he remained dedicated to serving his country. Drawing closely on his voluminous writing, especially his journals and letters, this biography offers a more sympathetic look at a man who has often been viewed as cold and stubbornly contentious. It is the definitive biography of the emotional and intellectual development of this fascinating early American.--From publisher description

A legacy more valuable than gold or silver -- A great deal of room for me to grow better -- Some compensation for me not being with my friends at Braintree -- A journal -- Almost at the world's end -- Promise to produce a worthy character -- A son who is the greatest traveller of his age -- A sister who fulfills my most sanguine expectations -- Your ever affectionate brother -- The sentiments of my heart as they rise -- Study is my mistress -- A student in the office of Theophilus Parsons -- Exposed to the perils of sentiment -- On the bridge between wisdom and folly -- I, too, am a scribbler -- The times change and we change with them -- The magnitude of the trust and my own incompetency -- The usual mixture between sweet and bitter -- The age of innocence and thoughtlessness -- Albeit unused to the melting mood -- Oh my Louisa! -- For the friend of your life -- Wise and in the best interests of the country -- To turn weariness itself into pleasure -- Painful retrospective -- With no small difficulty -- Another feather against a whirlwind -- Like a fish out of water -- Apostasy -- In honorable diplomatic exile -- Whether of peace or war