John Adams Administration - Education

Education

Adams spent his school days at a public Latin school and was taught by two private tutors. Despite Adams's simple rural background, his parents believed strongly in the importance of formal education and decided that their son should go to Harvard College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to become a clergyman.

Founded by Puritans in 1636, Harvard was mainly an institution for the training of clergymen and schoolmasters when Adams attended. Life at Harvard had a monastic quality in those days. After morning prayers at six and a breakfast of bread and milk, classes were held from eight until noon. The midday meal of meat and vegetables was followed by outdoor activities and prayers at five. The evening was set aside for study and a late supper, both accomplished by candlelight.

Based on his family's social standing, Adams was seated 14th among the 28 incoming students, but he soon ranked academically in the top...

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