Letters of John Adams, addressed to his wife

Published in 1841 by Little and Brown, this collection was edited by Charles Francis Adams, the son of John Quincy Adams and grandson of John Adams. The volume serves as a primary historical record, documenting the intimate correspondence between the second U.S. President and his wife, Abigail Adams, throughout the Revolutionary War and the early years of the American Republic. The publication was intended to preserve the personal narrative of the founding era for a growing nineteenth-century audience interested in the private lives of the nation's patriarchs.

The design and compilation of these letters were guided by a desire to humanize the figures of the American Revolution, framing their political deliberations within the context of their domestic life. By organizing the letters chronologically, Charles Francis Adams sought to underscore the intellectual partnership that defined the marriage of John and Abigail. Upon its release, the collection was well-received by contemporary scholars and historians, who viewed it as a candid and essential contribution to the public understanding of early American character and governance.