Adams, Charles Francis (1807-1886), was one of the most successful diplomats in United States history. He gained this reputation through his work as U.S. minister to Britain between 1861 and 1868. During these years, Adams helped keep Britain and France from recognizing the independence of the Confederacy during the American Civil War (1861-1865).
Adams was born on Aug. 18, 1807, in Boston. His father, John Quincy Adams, later became the sixth president of the United States. Charles spent his boyhood in Russia and the United Kingdom, where his father was U.S. minister. Charles graduated from Harvard University in 1825.
In the mid-1830’s, Charles Adams became involved in the controversy over slavery in the United States. He served in the Massachusetts legislature from 1841 to 1845 and helped persuade fellow house members to take an open stand against slavery. He also edited the Boston Daily Whig, an antislavery party journal. Gradually, Adams became leader of the Conscience Whigs, an antislavery group. The group supported the Free Soil Party in 1848, which nominated Martin Van Buren for president and Adams for vice president. Zachary Taylor, the Whig candidate for president, won the election.
Adams devoted most of his time during the 1850’s to editing the 10-volume Works of John Adams. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts in 1858 and 1860. In 1861, President Abraham Lincoln appointed Adams minister to the United Kingdom. There Adams had to face strong sympathy for the Southern States in the American Civil War (1861-1865). As minister, Adams struggled to prevent British recognition of Confederate independence and urged British officials not to equip Confederate ships. In 1871, President Ulysses S. Grant chose Adams to represent the United States in the settlement of claims involving the Confederate cruiser Alabama (see Alabama ). Adams died on Nov. 21, 1886.
