Tough Job:
John Quincy Adams, a congressman for 18 years, admitted in his diary, "I am a man of cold, forbidding manners. I shall never be a popular man." In fact, Adams lost the popular vote to Andrew Jackson in the 1824 presidential election. When no candidate received the majority of Electoral College votes, the election was decided by the House of Representatives, which selected Adams. As president, Adams was a visionary, ahead of his time. He proposed federal spending to build roads and canals, support scientific expeditions, and establish educational and cultural institutions. However, his proposals had little support from Congress or the voters. Ironically, of the first seven presidents, only John Quincy Adams and his father (John Adams) were not reelected.

Fast Facts
Party:	Democratic-Republican
Date of Birth:	Saturday, July 11, 1767
Date of Death:	Wednesday, February 23, 1848
Vice President:	John C. Calhoun
First Lady:	Louisa Johnson Adams