John Adams, the second President of the United States, was given his father’s name. John was athletic as a youth, and his father noticed he was extremely bright. John loved and excelled at ice-skating, wrestling and swimming.  But at an early age he didn’t care too much for books or learning, and saw no sense in talk of college. He wished only to become a farmer.

John’s father, though decided that his son should go to Harvard College and become a minister. John entered college at the then typical-for-the-time young age of 15. Most young men went to Harvard College to learn one of the three prominent vocations taught there. One would become a minister, a teacher, or a lawyer.

Harvard College in those days was made up of 4 brick buildings, a chapel, seven faculty members, and approximately 100 scholar students. John received a partial scholarship. His regimen was strict and demanding. John had learned from “ecclesiastical councils” which had been held in his fathers home, that he had no desire participate in the “dogma and bigotry in clergy and laity,” and chose the path to become a teacher.

After graduation John became a schoolmaster. As a youthful teacher, John believed he had to maintain a stiff and frowning countenance. This was not to his liking and so after 1 year of teaching, he returned to Harvard to study law. He believed his abilities as a public speaker would allow him to become a better lawyer than preacher or teacher.

Even if the legal profession was not held in very high esteem at the time, John developed a reputation as an honest and fair lawyer. He also grew a passion for learning and research. His reputation sky-rocketed when he won partial acquittal for the soldiers brought to trial for what became known as the “Boston Massacre.”

One of John’s greatest achievements was the defense in the Continental Congress of his friend and fellow lawyer, Thomas Jefferson’s draft of the Declaration of Independence. After the debate over his document, Thomas Jefferson announced, ” John Adams was our Colossus on the floor. He was not graceful nor elegant, nor remarkebly fluent but he came out occasionally with a power of thought and expression, that moved us from our seats.”

Aren’t you glad John Adams became a lawyer?