The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States

John Adams (1735–1826) was a highly educated and enlightened lawyer who became a central figure in the American Revolution. As a political theorist he influenced the constitutions of the former British colonies in America, and he is regarded, with Jefferson, as the father of the United States Constitution. First published in 1850–6, this collection brings together Adams' major writings. Given their influence not only on the United States, but also on other republics, Adams' works rank among the most important political writings of their time. Volume 5 contains the central portion of his famous Defence of the Constitutions. Responding to repeated requests for help in drafting individual states' constitutions, Adams here sets out the three principles he considered as being central to a fair constitution: separation of powers, checks and balances, and a legislature of two houses.