This book presents the first extended analysis of the friendship network of John Adams, forged during his lengthy public career from 1774-1801.
While scholars have considered historic friendships, this monograph examines Adams’s friendship network within a generation of revolutionaries. The six friendships explored exemplify the diversity of political interaction: primary friendship (Abigail), intimate confidence (Rush), political alliance (Gerry), emergent rivalry (Jefferson), the politics of personal difference (Mercy Otis Warren), and idolised revolutionary (Samuel Adams). This work positions friendship at the heart of the historian’s craft; reconstructing historic relationships and considering the evolution of each dyad to examine the tensions, candour, intimacy, and forms of alliance in each. Adams’s impassioned epistles present a window into his private ruminations. John Adams’s expectation of friendship changed at each stage of his career: Through 1774-1801, Adams entreated support from friends, debated issues pertaining to politics, diplomacy, and the national interest, sought comfort from intimates, and lamented divisions from former friends. For John Adams, friendship represented the art of politics.
This volume will be of value to students and scholars alike interested in American history, political history and social and cultural history.
By:
Jamie Macpherson
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 229mm,
Width: 152mm,
ISBN: 9781032329482
ISBN 10: 1032329483
Series: Routledge Advances in American History
Pages: 432
Publication Date: 26 December 2025
Audience:
General/trade
,
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
ELT Advanced
,
Primary
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming
Part 1: The Continental Congress, 1774-1778 Preface 1. Abigail Adams, 1774-1778 2. Elbridge Gerry, 1777 3. Thomas Jefferson, 1777 4. Benjamin Rush, 1777-1778 5. Samuel Adams, 1776 6. Mercy Otis Warren, 1773-1776 Conclusion Part 2: Diplomacy, 1778-1788 Preface 7. Abigail, 1778-1784 8. Elbridge Gerry, 1778-1785 9. Thomas Jefferson, 1784-1788 10. Benjamin Rush, 1778-1782 11. Samuel Adams, 1778-1784 12. Mercy Otis Warren, 1778-1787 Conclusion Part 3: Executive Service, 1788-1801 Preface 13. Abigail Adams, 1788-1801 14. Elbridge Gerry, 1797-1801 15. Thomas Jefferson, 1791-1801 16. Benjamin Rush, 1789-1790 17. Samuel Adams, 1790-179 18. Mercy Otis Warren, 1789-1791 Conclusion
Jamie Macpherson is the Academic Skills Adviser for the Arts and Humanities at the University of Stirling and a tutor at The University of Glasgow.
