Heirs of an Honored Name: The Decline of the Adams Family and the Rise of Modern America

by Douglas R. Egerton

An enthralling chronicle of the American nineteenth century told through the unraveling of the nation's first political dynasty

John and Abigail Adams founded a famous political family, but they would not witness its calamitous fall from grace. When John Quincy Adams died in 1848, so began the slow decline of the family's political legacy.

In Heirs of an Honored Name , award-winning historian Douglas R. Egerton depicts a family grown famous, wealthy -- and aimless. After the Civil War, Republicans looked to the Adamses to steer their party back to its radical 1850s roots. Instead, Charles Francis Sr. and his children -- Charles Francis Jr., John Quincy II, Henry and Clover Adams, and Louisa Adams Kuhn -- largely quit the political arena and found refuge in an imagined past of aristocratic preeminence.

An absorbing story of brilliant siblings and family strain, Heirs of an Honored Name shows how the burden of impossible expectations shaped the Adamses and, through them, American history.

Genres: History, American History, Biography, Politics, Nonfiction

480 pages, Hardcover

Published October 29, 2019

About the author

A specialist in the history of late 18th and early 19th-century America, Douglas Egerton is Professor of History at Le Moyne College.

Reviews

[David Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

First-rate history that explores how the Adams clan's arrogance and personality tics ultimately ended it as a political force. They were still fascinating and talented people, and they had the trait loved by historians of writing down so many of their disappointments and uncharitable judgments of each other. But their near-contempt for their fellow citizens meant that the dynasty had a definite sell-by date.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a way, a sort of sequel to John Adams by David McCullough (which was phenomenal). As one might imagine, John and John Quincy were tough acts to follow for their sons and grandsons. In some ways, the subsequent generations had their own accomplishments (Charles Francis, Sr. almost single-handedly keeping Britain from formally recognizing and helping the Confederacy during the Civil War, for example). Enjoyed it. On a personal note, I’m distantly related to John and John Quincy, and by extension all the rest, so this was an interesting read from that perspective.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

My abiding impression of this book? I’m impressed the author manage to cope living so long in the company of the various Adams men of the third and fourth generations (the first two were Presidents John and John Quincy Adams). Because, for real, the Adams men were DICKS. Entitled, self-absorbed, emotionally stunted dicks.

[Billhotto · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the first century of U.S. history there was no more honored family than the Adams of Quincy, Mass. John was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, a diplomat and the second president. John Quincy was a diplomat, Secretary of State, the sixth president and as a congressman a leader in the anti-slavery camp. Charles Francis was never president, but he helped organize the Republican party, served in Congress and was minister to Britain during the crucial years of the Civil War.
In each generation only one brother avoided the curse of alcoholism. All of the family's honor and prestige fell on him. Then Charles Francis had four sons who outlived him, Charles Francis II, John Quincy II, Henry and Brooks. They enjoyed success, but not in politics nor did they seek public service. The Adams legacy included stubbornness, aloofness and self-righteousness. Opposition to slavery as an institution did not extend to empathy with the slaves themselves. The elder Charles Francis never used pejorative terms for African Americans in his letters, his sons often did. This even though Charles Francis II had led a black cavalry regiment into Richmond at the end of the war. This led Charles Francis I to back Andrew Johnson during his impeachment. That led to a break with party he had helped found. Charles Francia very much wanted to follow his father as Secretary of State and president. He was even willing to run as a Democrat but thought beneath him to campaign for the job. His failure to continue the Adams legacy led his sons to follow their own paths.
None of them were suited for post-Civil War American life, even Charles Francis II who became a businessman and railroad president. They firmly believed that an educated elite should govern, and that elite was to have deep Anglo-Saxon roots. Having helped create and preserve the United States, they found that their fellow citizens had moved past them.

[Mmetevelis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provides an interesting exploration of the third and fourth generations of the family of John Adams. It spans the nineteenth century and ably tells a story about the fate of a political dynasty both lifted up and undone by their principles and victimized by their failings. The narrative is engaging and interesting and there is plenty of background about political issues without bogging down the central story.

The only drawback is that the later careers of Henry, Brooks, and the other brothers are reduced to an epilogue. Though the information was there I was looking for a little more focus given the title of the book. The book might be better described as a biographical sketch of Charles Francis Adams.

[Brianna Gold · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very middle of the road for me, and I feel like the ending was rushed. However, I do feel like it gave a very complete understanding of the last “true” generation of Adams, so I did learn a lot. I wish the author had given us just a glimpse of what happened to the fifth and subsequent generations - are there still Adams among us?? 😄

[The Logophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

I keep a special place in my heart for John Adams & John Quincy Adams but can't help feeling sad, ashamed, embarrassed & disgusted by the brood of children (mostly the men) who followed in their wake. How far the sons had fallen. It's no wonder the original are largely overlooked by everyone other than serious history lovers.