Louisa Adams

Louisa Catherine Johnson was born in London, England on February 12, 1775, to parents Joshua and Catherine Johnson. This distinction makes her the first first lady born outside of the United States.¹ During the American Revolution, her family moved to France, where Louisa attended a convent school.² She became well-versed in languages, literature, and music.

The Johnson family returned to England after the war, and there, Louisa met diplomat John Quincy Adams. The two married on July 26, 1797.³ The Adamses lived in Berlin, St. Petersburg, and London as part of his work, and Louisa became well-versed in the art of diplomacy.⁴ They also started a family and had four children: George (1801), John (1803), Charles (1807), and Louisa (1811).⁵

John Quincy Adams returned to domestic politics, and in 1801, Louisa visited the United States for the first time and met her in-laws: John and Abigail Adams.⁶ They spent several years in America before returning to Europe for Adams’ diplomatic career, culminating in his role as secretary of state to President James Monroe (1817-1825). These years of international travel required an impressive amount of flexibility and strength for Mrs. Adams as she simultaneously filled the roles of mother and diplomatic spouse.

However, her most difficult role was yet to come: first lady. The Adams family moved into the White House in 1825, and it proved to be a challenging period of Louisa’s life. Throughout her time as first lady, she experienced physical and mental health setbacks and sought privacy whenever possible. Her hobbies included reading, music, and sewing. She also bred silkworms on the White House Grounds, harvesting their silk for her own projects.⁷

She did not neglect her duties, however, hosting events at the White House including the wedding of her son John Adams II to her niece Mary Catherine Hellen in 1828.⁸ As an accomplished harpist and pianist, Louisa sometimes played for guests at the White House.

After the White House, Louisa remained a devoted political spouse and an active matriarch to her family. In her free time, she pursued writing, particularly autobiographical pieces. Louisa Catherine Adams died on May 15, 1852, in Washington, D.C. For the first time in history, Congress adjourned to mourn a former first lady.⁹ She is buried at the United First Parish Church in Quincy, Massachusetts.¹⁰