John Adams (educational writer)

John Adams (1750? – 1814) was a Scottish compiler of books for young readers.

Biography[]

Adams was born at Aberdeen about 1750. Having graduated at the university there, he obtained a preaching license, and coming to London was appointed minister of the Scotch church in Hatton Garden. Subsequently he opened a school or academy at Putney, which proved very successful; the botanists Allan Cunningham and his brother Richard were pupils. He died at Putney in 1814.^[1]

Most of his numerous works passed through many editions, and were largely used in schools. Among them may be mentioned:^[1]

1. The Flowers of Ancient History, 1788
2. Elegant Anecdotes and Bon Mots,’ 1790
3. A View of Universal History (3 vols.), 1795, which includes a brief account of almost every country in the world down to the date of publication.
4. The Flowers of Modern History, 1796.
5. , 1797.
6. Curious Thoughts on the History of Man, 1799.

Adams also published by subscription a volume of sermons dedicated to Lord Grantham in 1805, and he was the author of a very popular Latin schoolbook, entitled Lectiones Selectæ, which reached an eleventh edition in 1823.^[1]

References[]

External links[]

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Adams, John (1750?-1814)". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.
• Books by John Adams from the Internet Archive:
  • The Flowers of Modern History
  • The Flowers of Modern Travels volume I
  • The Flowers of Modern Travels volume II
  • A View of Universal History, from the Creation to the Present Time
  • Anecdotes, Bons-mots, and Characteristic Traits of the Greatest Princes, Politicians, etc
  • A New History of Great Britain from the Invasion of Julius Caesar to the Present Time