Louisa Adams

Louisa Catherine Johnson, born in England to an American father and a British mother, spent much of her youth in France. Her difficult marriage to John Quincy Adams was strained, and she suffered bouts of depression. As the wife of the United States minister to Prussia, her fluent French and exquisite European etiquette were assets her husband refused to appreciate. Louisa's charisma and intellectual inquisitiveness shone brightly in Washington society, and invitations to her political parties were as sought after as Dolley Madison's. Her husband’s political aspirations were stifled during his presidency. Unhappy and bored, Louisa ate chocolate shells and wrote biting semi-autobiographic plays and poetry while living in the White House.

Born: February 12, 1775, London, England

Died: May 15, 1852, Washington, D.C.

Early Life and Family Background

Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams was born on February 12, 1775, in London, England, making her the first First Lady born outside the United States. Her father, Joshua Johnson, was born on June 25, 1744, in St. Leonard, Calvert County, Maryland. He was a U.S. Consul, merchant, and businessman, who died on October 24, 1802, in Washington, D.C. Her mother, Catherine Nuth Johnson, was born in 1757 in London and died on October 29, 1811, in Washington, D.C. Joshua Johnson’s brother, Thomas Johnson, served with John Adams in the Continental Congress and was Maryland’s first governor. Despite extensive research, the exact circumstances of her parents’ marriage remain unclear, as documentation shows they married in 1785, two years after returning to London from Nantes, France.

Louisa Adams’ paternal ancestry traces back to Belgian and Dutch roots, while her maternal lineage connects to the English Roosevelts. She was the second of nine children, with seven sisters and one brother: Anne “Nancy” Johnson Hellen, Carolina Virginia Marylanda Johnson Buchanan Frye, Thomas Baker Johnson, Harriet Johnson Boyd, Catherine “Kitty” Johnson Smith, Eliza Johnson Pope, and Adelaide Johnson Hellen. Her sister Kitty married Billy Smith, a nephew of John Quincy Adams, and her sister Eliza married U.S. Senator John Pope of Kentucky. Her brother Thomas Johnson married Catherine Seaman.

Education

Louisa received her early education in a Roman Catholic convent school in Nantes, France, from 1781 to 1783. Here, she learned to read and write in French, becoming so proficient that she forgot English. She also developed skills in playing the harp and piano and singing. From 1784 to 1789, she attended an English boarding school, studying mathematics, philosophy, embroidery, needlework, stitching, and drawing. Her teacher, Miss Young, significantly influenced her, teaching her to express her true views. After 1789, Louisa and her sisters were tutored at home in London. During this time, she began writing poetry and essays, which would later expand into playwriting.

Early Life

Joshua Johnson moved his family to France in 1778 due to the American Revolutionary War, settling in Nantes. Louisa grew up in luxury and indulgence, a lifestyle attributed to her mother. In France, the Johnsons entertained many Americans, including John Adams and his son, John Quincy Adams. Louisa would later consider her identity more French than English. When the family returned to London, Louisa had to relearn English and navigate the transition from Catholicism to Anglicanism, which overwhelmed her and caused her to faint during prayers.

Marriage to John Quincy Adams

Louisa met John Quincy Adams at a party in her family’s London home in 1795. They became engaged in 1796, despite John Quincy’s initial reservations and harshly critical letters emphasizing prudence and economy. They married on July 26, 1797, at All Hallows-by-the-Tower church in London. John Quincy Adams, then serving as U.S. Minister to Prussia, was reassigned to Berlin shortly after their wedding.

Diplomatic Life

Louisa began her role as a diplomat’s wife in Berlin. Despite financial constraints, she gained the favor of the Prussian royal family and adjusted well to European diplomatic life. However, she faced multiple miscarriages, fainting spells, and other health issues. When John Quincy Adams’ father lost his re-election in 1800, they returned to the U.S., where Louisa made her first voyage across the Atlantic. She formed a close bond with her father-in-law, former President John Adams, but had a strained relationship with Abigail Adams.

In 1809, President James Madison appointed John Quincy as Minister to Russia, and the family moved to St. Petersburg. Louisa adapted well, becoming a favorite of Tsar Alexander I, but faced financial and health challenges. The birth of their fourth child, Louisa Catherine, brought joy, but her death a year later deeply affected Louisa. When John Quincy was assigned to negotiate the Treaty of Ghent in 1814, Louisa undertook a perilous journey from St. Petersburg to Paris, displaying remarkable resilience.

Return to the United States

After the Treaty of Ghent, the Adams family returned to the U.S., where John Quincy served as Secretary of State under President James Monroe. Louisa’s home became a social center in Washington, D.C., hosting large receptions and dances. She used her social skills to advance her husband’s political ambitions, playing a significant role in his 1824 presidential campaign. Despite her dislike for political life, she believed strongly in her husband’s ability to lead.

Presidential Campaign and Inauguration

During the 1824 campaign, Louisa hosted influential gatherings and organized a ball honoring Andrew Jackson. Her efforts contributed to John Quincy’s victory, though the election’s outcome was decided by the House of Representatives. Louisa did not attend the 1825 inauguration but was instrumental in her husband’s political success.

First Lady

Louisa served as First Lady from March 4, 1825, to March 4, 1829. Her tenure was marked by health struggles and the isolation of the White House. She found the mansion cold and lonely, and her family’s troubles added to her stress. Louisa broke some traditions, encouraging dancing at her son’s wedding and mingling with guests at receptions. She also provided musical entertainment, playing the harp for guests.

Louisa’s relationship with John Quincy deteriorated during their White House years, leading her to seek solace in writing and other personal pursuits. She raised silkworms and harvested silk, which she used in sewing. Despite these challenges, she maintained her openness and innovation as First Lady.

Post-Presidential Life

After leaving the White House, Louisa faced the loss of her son George and the challenges of raising her granddaughters. She supported her husband’s anti-slavery efforts, correlating the repression of enslaved  African-Americans with the subordination of women. Louisa became an active correspondent with abolitionist figures and provided significant support to her husband.

Following John Quincy’s death in 1848, Louisa continued to influence the social and political life of Washington, D.C. She maintained a close relationship with key political figures and continued to raise her granddaughters. Louisa authored several autobiographical writings, including “Adventures of a Nobody,” “Record of a Life, or My Story,” and “Narrative of a Journey from Russia to France, 1815.”

Death

Louisa Adams died on May 15, 1852, in Washington, D.C., at the age of 77. Upon her death, both houses of Congress adjourned in mourning, making her the first woman whose death was so acknowledged by the federal government. She was buried at the United First Parish Church in Quincy, Massachusetts.