John Quincy Adams and the Ancient Classics, 1794–1817

John Quincy Adams was, among other things, a scholar, poet, and even scientist. He was unusually devoted to the Greek and Latin classics. This article establishes, through his detailed diaries, the agenda of his classical studies from 1794 to 1817, a period during which, with the exception of eight...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Early American studies 2021-09, Vol.19 (4), p.815-839
Main Author: Penella, Robert J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adams, John Quincy (1767-1848)
American history
Classical literature
Classical studies
Diaries
Diplomatic & consular services
Epic literature
Friendship
Greek literature
Latin language
Openness
Plutarch (46?-120?)
Reading
Translations
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Summary:John Quincy Adams was, among other things, a scholar, poet, and even scientist. He was unusually devoted to the Greek and Latin classics. This article establishes, through his detailed diaries, the agenda of his classical studies from 1794 to 1817, a period during which, with the exception of eight years back in the United States, he served as an ambassador in Europe. His nonclassical intellectual interests during this whole period are included in the story, for Adams's classical interests were only part-albeit an important part-of his encyclopedic openness to the whole of learning, which was not untypical of his age.
ISSN:1543-4273
1559-0895
1559-0895
DOI:10.1353/eam.2021.0025