America’s 2nd president
Most people around the world are familiar with America’s first president (George Washington) and third (Thomas Jefferson), but many have not heard of the second. He was John Adams who served two terms as Washington’s Vice-President before himself becoming President for a single term (1797-1801). Later his son John Quincy Adams also became (the sixth) President (1825-1829).
I’ve just finished viewing a seven-part television series made by HBO on the life of John Adams. It has rightly been a great success, winning no less than 13 Emmys. The lead role is taken by Paul Giamatti who gives an outstanding performance among many fine portrayals.
Adams’ death – shown in the final programme – was as remarkable as his life. On 4 July 1826, the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, he died at his home in Quincy. Thomas Jefferson, his compatriot in their quest for independence, had died a few hours earlier on the very same day.
Ironically the whole series was brilliantly directed by a Briton: Tom Hooper [see his article]. He is the son of Richard Hooper whom I know mainly through his work as former Deputy Chairman of Ofcom.
What is striking about this life of one of America’s ‘Founding Fathers’ is how resonant many of the themes are: the balance between the role of the federal government and the states, the extent to which the people can be trusted to guide politicians, the need to balance individual freedoms against the security needs of the nation, and the risk of entering an overseas war. Terrific stuff.
November 9th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
I agree completely about the John Adams series. Thanks to the wonders of our BT Broadband Vision package furnished PVR we have been watching it when we got around to it. It was a really interesting and plausible account of how messy, and unclear cut, History often is. The curmudgeonly Adams came across as a deeply attractive, because of his flaws, human being. It also gave a feeling for how the system evolved, with Adams a transitional figure with the electoral college more or less working as intended when he was chosen, but moving much more in the party pledged direction by the time he lost to Jefferson. I can’t check the details but the whole feel of it just right.
November 9th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
I didn’t see the HBO John Adam series, however I read the book by John McCullough several years ago. I loved it so much. To this day, I think about it and if there was anytime that I would want to go back in time, it would be in that era. The foresight that our Founding Fathers portrayed was truly genius.
November 10th, 2008 at 12:12 am
I watched the first episode and found it to be more drama than documentary. Since I don’t watch much television these days, perhaps that’s just the way things are done today and I’m unable to appreciate it. I do admire John Adams and believe we in America truly benefited from his role in our founding. However, I believe that his wife Abigail enabled him to be the pillar of democracy that he became. As soon as I gain the fortitude, I’ll watch episode 2.
November 11th, 2008 at 12:46 am
One of my favorite stories about Jefferson and Adams is the story of their deaths on July 4, 1826, which you alluded to. Supposedly, Adams’ last words were “Thomas Jefferson still survives.” Of course, as you said, he had died a few hours previous. Jefferson’s last words were reportedly, “Is it the fourth?” The two men corresponded for years, and I believe their letters were collected and published.