Louisa Adams

Louisa Catherine Adams, née Johnson, was born in London on February 12, 1775. Her father was Joshua Johnson, an American merchant of influence, and her mother was Catherine Nuth, an Englishwoman. The Johnson family was historically involved in American politics; her paternal uncle, Thomas Johnson, was among the signers of the 1774 Continental Association.

Louisa was the second daughter in her family. Her parents married potentially ten years after her birth, and she may be the only U.S. First Lady to have been born out of wedlock. The family moved to Nantes, France, in 1778 during the American Revolutionary War, where they lived for five years. She attended a Catholic boarding school in France, learned multiple languages including French, Greek, and Latin, and cultivated skills in music and literature. Her immersion in French culture influenced her early education and language proficiency.

Following the family's return to England, they settled in Tower Hill, London. Louisa's education was overseen by John Hewlett, an Anglican minister and family friend, who encouraged her intellectual development. Financial difficulties in 1788 led to her being educated by a governess and a focus on her intellectual pursuits.

In 1790, her family’s position was elevated when her father was appointed the American consul to Great Britain. During this time, Louisa helped entertain prominent guests, which included American diplomats and officials. In 1795, she met John Quincy Adams, then a diplomat working in England. Their courtship was intermittent, initially marked by misunderstandings and social rivalries with her older sister Nancy, whom others believed would attract Adams' attention.

Louisa and John Quincy Adams became engaged in 1796 and married on July 26, 1797. Their marriage lasted through periods of personal disagreement and financial hardship. Soon after their marriage, the Johnson family lost their remaining fortune, and her parents fled England amid creditors' demands. Louisa and John Quincy Adams faced personal and financial challenges, often experiencing disagreements over their relationship and decision-making.

From 1797 to 1825, Louisa served as the wife of a diplomat and government official, including postings in Prussia and Russia. In 1797, the couple moved to Berlin, where Louisa—despite health issues from multiple miscarriages—established herself as a prominent figure within the Prussian court. She became acquainted with the king and queen and was well-regarded socially.

In 1801, they returned to the United States. Louisa’s health and financial circumstances remained fragile, and her relationship with her in-laws was complex, notably with her mother-in-law. She transported her family repeatedly between Massachusetts and Washington, D.C., as her husband served in various political roles, including U.S. Senator. They had three sons: George Washington Adams (born 1801), John Adams II (born 1803), and Charles Francis Adams (born 1807).

In 1809, John Quincy Adams was appointed the American minister to Russia. Louisa accompanied him, leaving their older sons behind in the United States. Her time in Russia was marked by personal hardship, including the death of her infant daughter in 1812 and her feelings of distress about living abroad. She lived in Russia alone for a year while her husband negotiated the Treaty of Ghent. In 1815, she traveled across Europe to reunite with him after the end of the war.

Afterward, the couple lived in England for two years before returning to the United States when John Quincy Adams was appointed Secretary of State. She was active as a hostess and supporter of her husband's political campaigns, notably assisting with his 1824 presidential run.

Louisa Adams was First Lady from 1825 to 1829 during John Quincy Adams's presidency. Her tenure was characterized by her reclusiveness and limited personal records from the period. Following her husband's loss in the presidential election, she expressed a desire for retirement, but she later became involved in political and social issues, supporting abolitionism and women’s rights.

She was widowed in 1848 and suffered a stroke in 1849 that limited her mobility. Louisa Catherine Adams died on May 15, 1852, at the age of 77. Her funeral was attended by Congress, which adjourned out of respect. She remains notable as the only foreign-born First Lady until Melania Trump assumed the role in 2017.