Facts about Louisa Adams: Fact Sheet of Louisa Adams Facts and Info: This fast fact sheet provides important information about Louisa Adams, First Lady of the United States of America. Facts about Louisa Adams: Fast Overview of Events in the White House Facts and Info: Louisa Adams assumed the position of First Lady to President John Quincy Adams. Louisa Adams witnessed the important events of his presidency that included negotiating the Treaty of Ghent in 1814 that ended the War of 1812, gaining Florida from Spain and his fight to force Congress to receive anti-slavery petitions. Personality and Character: Louisa Adams Quotes Facts and Info: An insight into the personal views, character and personality of this First Lady may be obtained from the following Louisa Adams quotes: "It is understood that a man who is ambitious to become President of the United States must make his wife visit the Ladies of the members of Congress first. Otherwise he is totally inefficient to fill so high an office" "I have the happiness of meeting with a variety of these misleaders who are either not gifted with common sense or have a sort of mind which I have often met with utterly incapable of comprehending anything in a plain way." "I have nothing to do with the disposal of affairs and have never but once been consulted" "There is something in this great, unsocial house which depresses my spirits beyond expression." Facts about Louisa Adams: First Events Facts and Info: Louisa Adams was the 1st and only First Lady to be born in a foreign country. She was born in London, England on February 12, 1775. She was voted an honorary seat in the House of Representatives by a unanimous congressional resolution after her husbands death Facts about the Causes and Accomplishments of Louisa Adams Facts and Info: First Ladies are not elected so have no official role. Their accomplishments are therefore based on their own particular wishes that ranged from political interests, humanitarian and charitable causes or duties relating to their family or social responsibilities. The causes and accomplishments of Louisa Adams were demonstrated in her support of her husband and interest in politics. Louisa Adams was deeply involved in the women's movement to abolish slavery and was one of the first First Ladies to take up the cause of women's rights. Louisa Adams was voted an honorary seat in the House of Representatives by a unanimous congressional resolution after her husband died. Facts about Louisa Adams: The Life of Louisa Adams Facts and Info: Louisa Adams was the only first lady to be born and raised abroad. Louisa was the daughter of Joshua Johnson, an American merchant, and Catherine Nuth-Johnson, an English woman. Louisa met her husband while he was serving as a U.S. minister in London, England. John Quincy Adams married Louisa in London and she left Europe for her new life in America. Her wealthy father became bankrupt and she was ashamed that her husband had “connected himself with a ruined house.” The couple raised four children whose names were Louisa, George, John and Charles. She was forced to uproot from her US home due to the positions abroad to which her husband was appointed including Prussia, Russia, Paris and London. She was frequently unwell and suffered from bouts of depression for which she received scant sympathy from her husband. She was, however, a great supporter of her husband and acted as his personal secretary when he served as Secretary of State President James Monroe. During this time she held many lavish social events and made many social calls. She had no intention of making the mistakes of her predecessor, Elizabeth Monroe, who had remained aloof and shunned the wives of politicians. Louisa Adams wrote in her diary "It is understood that a man who is ambitious to become President of the United States must make his wife visit the Ladies of the members of Congress first. Otherwise he is totally inefficient to fill so high an office". She might have understood that social interaction was necessary but she must have found it difficult at times and it was certainly a source of resentment. Her determination to support her husband by becoming a social success played a part in helping him to win election as President. Although she supported her husband he did not treat her as a confidante. Louisa Adams once wrote "I have nothing to do with the disposal of affairs and have never but once been consulted". Her role in the White House was focussed on her skills as a hostess and organizing social events. Her husband lost the 1828 election to Andrew Jackson but continued his career in politics in Congress. John Quincy Adams died in 1848 and Louisa died in 1852. She was buried beside her husband at the First Church in Quincy, Massachusetts. |