John Adams October 30 1735 July 4 1826 was an American statesman attorney diplomat writer and Founding Father who served as the second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801. Before his presidency he was a leader of the American Revolution that achieved independence from Great Britain and he served as the first vice president of the United States. Adams was a dedicated diarist and regularly corresponded with many important figures in early American history including his wife and adviser Abigail Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Product Attributes: