The Adams-Jefferson Letters
The correspondence between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson spanned half a century and embraces government, philosophy, religion, quotidian, and family griefs and joys.
Jefferson and the Adams Family
"I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past. so good night! I will dream on, always fancying that mrs Adams and yourself are by my side marking the progress and the obliquities of ages and countries"
-Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 1816
John Adams ... Abigail Adams ... John Quincy Adams ... Reconciliation
John Adams
"he & myself have gone through so many scenes together that all his qualities have been proved to me, and I know him to possess so many good ones, as that I have never withdrawn my esteem..."
A Biographical Sketch of John Adams
Explore a biographical sketch of John Adams from the Thomas Jefferson Encyclopedia.
A Love-Hate Relationship
In this short podcast, Monticello's Sam Riggs uses the bust of John Adams in Jefferson's Cabinet to describe the relationship between these two frenemies.
An Election and an Estrangement
The Election of 1800 pitted John Adams and Thomas Jefferson against each other. For our "In the Course of Human Events" podcast, historian Edward Larson shares how an unprecedented campaign nearly tore the United States apart and estranged the once-close friends for over a decade.
Abigail Adams
“I have long known mr Jefferson, and have ever entertained a friendship for him..."
"one of the most estimable characters on earth."
Thomas Jefferson and Abigail Adams became fast friends in Paris but were estranged following the contentious election of 1800.
A Remarkable Correspondence
Read the witty, frank, and sometimes flirtatious correspondence between Thomas Jefferson and Abigail Adams digitized in Founders Online.
Apologies for Missing Dinner
Thomas Jefferson's exploits in London caused him to miss a dinner in his honor arranged by Abigail Adams. Monticello guide David Thorson tells this entertaining story of "Jefferson's Grand Day Out in London."
John Quincy Adams
"you can never be an hour in this man's company without something of the marvelous"
-John Quincy Adams, describing dinner conversation with Thomas Jefferson, 1804
Mr. Jefferson Tells Large Stories
Monticello Guide Kyle Chattleton shares some of John Quincy Adams's own reflections on dining with President Jefferson.
The Louisiana Purchase
In 1805, Federalist Senator John Quincy Adams defied his party to vote for Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase. Listen at the 12:30-17:00 mark as his biographer James Traub describes this event in a YouTube video.
The Official Declaration
As Secretary of State to President James Monroe, John Quincy Adams commissioned William Stone to produce the official copy of the Declaration of Independence.
An Olive Branch
In 1811, over a decade following his estrangement from John Adams, Thomas Jefferson wrote their mutual friend, Dr. Benjamin Rush. Read Jefferson's letter to Rush asking for his help to reconcile the two founders whose friendship had once been unbreakable.
Dreams of the Future
In 1816, reflecting on all that had happened in their eventful lives, Jefferson penned one of his most frequently quoted phrases. Read the full letter about Jefferson's dreams for the future with John and Abigail Adams.
Benjamin Rush
Dr. Benjamin Rush, mutual friend of Adams and Jefferson and fellow signer of the Declaration of Independence, orchestrated their reconciliation and renewal of friendship.
Available from The Shop at Monticello
The American Story: Conversations with Master Historians
In these lively dialogues, the biggest names in American history explore the subjects they’ve come to so intimately know and understand, including: — David McCullough on John Adams — Jon Meacham on Thomas Jefferson — Ron Chernow on Alexander Hamilton
Jefferson's Secrets
When Jefferson died on July 4, 1826, he left behind a series of mysteries that have captured the imaginations of historical investigators for generations. In Jefferson's Secrets Andrew Burstein draws on sources previous biographers have glossed over or missed entirely