The Letters of John and Abigail Adams

The Letters of John and Abigail Adamsprovides an insightful record of American life before, during, and after the Revolution; the letters also reveal the intellectually and emotionally fulfilling relationship between John and Abigail that lasted fifty-four years and withstood historical upheavals, long periods apart, and personal tragedies. Covering key moments in American history-the Continental Congress, the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War, and John Adams's diplomatic missions to Europe-the letters reveal the concerns of a couple living during a period of explosive change, from smallpox and British warships to raising children, paying taxes, the state of women, and the emerging concepts of American democracy.

John Adams (1735-1826) was the Massachusetts delegate to the First and Second Continental Congresses. After serving as Vice President for two terms under George Washington, he was subsequently elected President. Abigail Smith Adams (1744-1818) was one of the most influential women of her era. Frank Shuffelton is a professor of English at the University of Rochester, and he edited the Penguin Classics edition of Notes on the State of Virginia by Thomas Jefferson.

The Letters of John and Abigail Adams Introduction
A Brief Adams Calendar, 1774-83
Suggestions for Further Reading
A Note on the Text

Familiar Letters of John Adams and His Wife

Explanatory Notes