Watched the Battle of Bunker Hill as an 8 year old.

Learned French quickly on first trip to Paris.

Didn’t want to return to Europe on Adams’ second trip, but Abigail insisted in order to keep tabs on John.

Of all the subjects he studied, language translation and the theater were his favorites, though they weren’t “serious.”

A two-year diplomatic mission to St. Petersburg disrupted his studies.

Accompanied the ambassador to Russia at age 14, to speak French.

Toured Sweden independently and loved it and Swedes loved the U.S.

Abigail’s overbearing way a reaction to her brother’s shameful profligacy.

Had to humiliatingly get a tutor to enter Harvard.

He liked women but had a low opinion of them.

Got heavily depressed after college entering into law, which uninterested him.

Had a romance with Mary Frazier, which he had to break because he couldn’t support her and she demanded an official engagement.

Got vision problems by looking at a solar eclipse in 1791.

Wrote anonymous essays against entering France/England war.

Appointed minister to the Netherlands by Washington just when he was wanting to break free from parents.

Married Louisa finally, just as he was appointed as ambassador to Prussia by President Adams.

Louisa’s indebted father fled Europe, leaving her and JQA with the creditors; Adams appointed him postmaster of D.C. to avoid insolvency.

Became state senator briefly, then U.S. senator in 1802.

Despite other Federalists, JQA would have voted for Louisiana Purchase.

JQA’s support for Jefferson’s measures expedited his diplomat expenses.

Took great pains to be independent from parties in politics; he sought to purposefully be a nuisance to show his disdain.

Repeatedly berated himself for indolence and wasting time with scholarly pursuits, which most fulfilled them.

Elected to Harvard professorship in rhetoric, for which he demanded and received preferential treatment and allowances.

Resigned senate seat in sixth year when the Massachusetts (of Federalists) strong-armed him into voting against the embargo he wanted.

New president Madison appointed JQA ambassador to Russia in 1809.

Was offered Supreme Court position but declined, citing dislike of law, low pay, and self-realization he was more partisan than he let on.

Helped negotiate peace between Russia and England in 1814 with Henry Clay.

Injured his eye and hand in pistol accident; leeches to the eye.

Accepted Monroe’s Secretary of State appointment while in London and hung out with Jeremy Bentham before returning to the States.

Took care of deadbeat Tom after Abigail died in 1819.

Tasked by Congress to report on the standardization of weights and measures.

Articulated ideas of Monroe Doctrine before Monroe did.

Took to swimming in the Potomac and working the White House gardens.

Lost George W. Adams to suicide just after losing presidency; eventually lost two brothers and two sons to alcoholism.

His defense in Congress of the right to petition and fight against the gag rule was cloaked in the anti-slavery cause in 1836.

Defended the Amistad slaves and won.

Talked against slavery so much, southerners tried to censure him but this simply gave him another opportunity to speechify.

Criticized northern politicians like Douglas for casting lots with southerners.

Voted against Mexican War; vote was 176-11.

Collapsed in his House seat in 1848 and died at the Capitol.