The New Student's Reference Work/Adams, Charles Francis

CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS

Ad′ams, Charles Francis, the son of John Quincy Adams, was born in Boston, Aug. 18, 1807. He graduated at Harvard College in 1825, and studied law with Daniel Webster. He was for five years a member of the Massachusetts legislature; in 1848 he was the Free Soil candidate for Vice-president, and was elected congressman in 1858, joining the Republican party. He came into great prominence as American minister to England (1861-1868), the same office formerly held by his father and grandfather. He found the great body of Englishmen hostile or indifferent to the United States. His position was one of the greatest responsibility and delicacy. In discharging its duties he showed ability and tact of the first order, and made a reputation as one of the most brilliant diplomatists ever sent out from Washington. He died at Boston, Nov. 21, 1886.