‘John Quincy Adams: An Exceptionally Average President?’

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is not to make a claim that John Quincy Adams is a great forgotten president in American history. His achievements are not comparable to those of FDR, and his legacy in popular American culture does not—and never will—approach the deification enjoyed by Lincoln or the infamy suffered by Nixon. However, this does not mean that he should be placed in a file marked “average” and his legacy left to gather dust. This chapter therefore has two aims. The first is to reassess the presidency of John Quincy Adams in order to rehabilitate his reputation from that of the ultimate example of presidential mediocrity. The second, and related, aim is to illustrate, through the example of Adams, the problems inherent in the process of ranking American presidents.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPerspectives on Presidential Leadership
Subtitle of host publicationAn International View of the White House
EditorsMicheal Cullinane, Clare Elliott
Place of PublicationLondon
PublisherRoutledge
Chapter2
Pages23-40
Number of pages18
ISBN (Electronic)9780203796504
ISBN (Print)9781138696372, 9780415857703
Publication statusPublished - 18 Feb 2014

Publication series

NameRoutledge Research in American Politics and Governance
PublisherRoutledge

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