Henry Adams
Biography
Henry Adams (1838–1918) was an American historian, journalist, novelist, and autobiographer, a member of the prominent Adams political family (grandson and great-grandson of Presidents). Born in Boston, he was educated at Harvard and served as private secretary to his father, the U.S. Minister to Britain, during the Civil War. He taught medieval history at Harvard and wrote the monumental nine-volume History of the United States during the administrations of Jefferson and Madison. His anonymous novel Democracy (1880) satirized Washington politics. His autobiography, The Education of Henry Adams (1918), won the Pulitzer Prize posthumously and is considered one of the finest American autobiographies.
Common themes in Henry Adams's work
American intellectual history
A recurring theme throughout Henry Adams's writing.
Political satire
A recurring theme throughout Henry Adams's writing.
Autobiography
A recurring theme throughout Henry Adams's writing.
Adams family
A recurring theme throughout Henry Adams's writing.
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Why Henry Adams is still read today
Henry Adams’s Education is a landmark of American autobiography and intellectual history. Democracy remains a sharp satire of Washington’s political culture that feels remarkably current.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Henry Adams?
Henry Adams (1838–1918) was an American historian, novelist, and autobiographer from the Adams presidential family, known for The Education of Henry Adams.
What are his major works?
The Education of Henry Adams (Pulitzer Prize) and the novel Democracy. Both are available free on TextStack.
Is he related to the presidents?
Yes, he was the grandson of John Quincy Adams and great-grandson of John Adams.
Where can I read Adams free?
TextStack offers Henry Adams’s works to read free online.
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