Biography.guide
Home › People › Politician › John Adams
Portrait of John Adams

John Adams

1778 – 1854

United States Representative from New York

Don't just read it — keep itBiographies to ownE-book · Audio · Video From $7 →

About John Adams

Lived 1778 – 1854 (aged 76). John Adams was an American politician, lawyer, teacher and judge.

John Adams (August 26, 1778 – September 25, 1854) was an American lawyer and politician who served one term as a United States Congressman from New York from 1833 to 1835.

Life John studied law, and taught school in Durham. John was admitted to the bar in 1805, and began to practice in Durham. John was Surrogate of Greene County, New York from 1810 to 1811.

Political career He was a member of the New York State Assembly in 1812–13.

Congress In April 1814, John ran as a Federalist for the 14th United States Congress, and was declared elected due to a mistake made by the deputy county clerk who had transcribed the returns. Credentials were issued by the Secretary of State of New York, but John Adams did not take or claim the seat. His Democratic-Republican opponent Erastus Root contested Adams's election and was seated on December 26, 1815.

John Adams was elected as a Jacksonian to the 23rd Congress, and served from March 4, 1833 to March 3, 1835.

Later career and death Afterwards he resumed his law practice in Catskill. John also became a director of the Canajoharie and Catskill Railroad in 1835.

John was buried at the Thompson Street Cemetery in Catskill.

Family State Senator Platt Adams (1792–1887) was his brother.

Biography shop

Don’t just read it —
keep it.

Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.

  • E-book
  • Audio
  • Video
Browse the shop — from $7

Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free

Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Positions held
United States representative, Member of the New York State Assembly

People in John Adams's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped John Adams's

Frequently asked questions

Who was John Adams?

United States Representative from New York (1778-1854)

When was John Adams born?

John Adams was born on 26 August 1778 in Oak Hill.

When did John Adams die?

John Adams died on 25 September 1854 in Catskill.

What was John Adams's occupation?

John Adams was a politician, lawyer, teacher and judge.

What nationality was John Adams?

John Adams was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: John Adams

· Wikidata: Q1287735

· DBpedia: John Adams (New York politician)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Adams. https://biography.guide/john-adams-politician-1778/

MLA: "John Adams." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-adams-politician-1778/.

Chicago: "John Adams." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-adams-politician-1778/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Page generated 2026-09-27 05:27 UTC