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whitejamaica's review
John Torrey Morse, Jr. was born in Boston in 1840. He went on to become a Harvard graduate and a Boston lawyer in 1860. After twenty some years in this profession, he started studying in writing and editing. In 1882, Morse founded the American Statesmen Series. This collection of biographies attempted to correct what Morse saw as a misconception of public understanding between the Revolutionary period and the Civil War and portray this picture to the general public. The first biography in the American Statesmen Series was published in 1882, John Quincy Adams which was written by Morse himself. Though it was not the first biography on former president John Quincy Adams, it is still celebrated today as one of the most distinctive accounts of Adams’ life.
When Morse wrote John Quincy Adams he knew he was following two others. The first two biographies however either lacked finesse or the ability to engage the reader; Josiah Quincy’s Memoir of the Life of John Quincy Adams was described by Lynn Parsons as being “irredeemably dull.” Morse also brought something different to the table. In his own words, he attempted “to present a sketch of the man with a few of his more prominent surroundings against a very meager and insufficient background of the history of the times (p.12).” Morse undoubtedly achieved his purpose and provided his readers with a satisfactory “sketch” of a vigorous and unique president.
John Quincy Adams reads more like a history text than a historical biography. John T. Morse, Jr. presents the facts as they are and not as they appear. In doing so, he provides the audience with little personal interpretation or analysis. While this detracts from the work’s interest, Morse manages to remain unbiased throughout his narrative. Though admiring in tone, Morse presents all information regarding John Quincy Adams and relates his good and bad qualities.
The American Statesmen Series was intended for a large audience. Morse and other authors of the series encouraged a wide range of readers with their simplistic tone and straightforward approach. Each and every topic within the American Statesmen Series was well-researched, written, and edited. For John Quincy Adams, Morse collected and read from many sources. The majority of which were books written by either Adams himself or his close acquaintances (e.g. Quincy Adams’ Memoirs, edition 12. 1874). These primary sources, which are cited in Morse’s bibliography, helped to influence and legitimize the information within Morse’s text.
Morse’s first published tome (1882) is an accurate account of John Quincy Adams’ life. This biography is one of many on Adams, and therefore its contribution to historical literature is lessened. Aside from being a part of the American Statesmen Series, John Quincy Adams has modest historical value considering there are bigger, more accurate, recent, and analytical narratives (John Quincy Adams: A Public Life, a Private Life by Paul C. Nagel). Nevertheless, many readers appreciate the conciseness of the Morse’s text and complement him on his ability to condense a large time period.
“The English language used in this book has been, in most part, lost from our century,” as written by historian David Scranton. The words and word structure in Morse’s volume can be at times drawn out and frustrating, “Mr. Adams's unbounded indignation and profound contempt were reserved for Mr. Crawford, partly, it may be suspected by the cynically minded, because Crawford for a long time seemed to be by far the most formidable rival, but partly also because Crawford was in fact unable to resist the temptation to use ignoble means for attaining an end which he coveted too keenly for his own honor (Morse, p.155).” It is apparent that John T. Morse, Jr. lived in a different period and his writing mimics that of most scholars during the late 1800s era.
John Quincy Adams has been described as having “interesting narrative, just proportion, and judicial candor (The Nation, 1882);” yet, while the tone is admiring and the writing concise, Morse is not analytical and seemingly indifferent. His fact-filled text comes off dreary and gives the reader a dull impression. There are no pictures to assist the reader with their tedious task, however, pictures would not have enhanced understanding or comprehension nor would it have spiked interest. If he were to have rewritten a biography on Adams, Morse could have given personal interpretation of Adams and his years in office. This being said, Morse’s narrative is both informative and educational, providing readers with the life story of Quincy Adams.
The index in the back of John Quincy Adams is thick and rich with information. The purpose of the American Statesmen Series was to provide short and concise biographies to the public which would help to paint a picture of society between the Revolutionary period and the Civil War; therefore, Morse was tasked with accounting Quincy Adams’ entire, relevant life in one short volume. All details not permitted in his text are housed in the index. Though there are no author notes in the index, it does help the reading experience as it organizes names, events, and places and makes navigating the text simple.
“It is unlikely that any future biographer will exceed the skill of John T. Morse in summing up such a lengthy and complex career in so brief a format (Parsons, 1980).” If John T. Morse excelled at anything, it was his ability to condense the life of John Quincy Adams into a diminutive biography. He creates a balanced volume with a necessary and suitable length while also informing the reader of all relevant information on the topic.
John Torrey Morse, Jr., creator and editor of the American Statesmen Series, wrote John Quincy Adams in 1882. His condensed biography stands to this day as the official short biography of Adams. Even since its early conception, this work remains accurate and the language readable. Regardless of generations passed by, John Quincy Adams’ life can be remembered and venerated because of Morse’ American Statesmen Series.
When Morse wrote John Quincy Adams he knew he was following two others. The first two biographies however either lacked finesse or the ability to engage the reader; Josiah Quincy’s Memoir of the Life of John Quincy Adams was described by Lynn Parsons as being “irredeemably dull.” Morse also brought something different to the table. In his own words, he attempted “to present a sketch of the man with a few of his more prominent surroundings against a very meager and insufficient background of the history of the times (p.12).” Morse undoubtedly achieved his purpose and provided his readers with a satisfactory “sketch” of a vigorous and unique president.
John Quincy Adams reads more like a history text than a historical biography. John T. Morse, Jr. presents the facts as they are and not as they appear. In doing so, he provides the audience with little personal interpretation or analysis. While this detracts from the work’s interest, Morse manages to remain unbiased throughout his narrative. Though admiring in tone, Morse presents all information regarding John Quincy Adams and relates his good and bad qualities.
The American Statesmen Series was intended for a large audience. Morse and other authors of the series encouraged a wide range of readers with their simplistic tone and straightforward approach. Each and every topic within the American Statesmen Series was well-researched, written, and edited. For John Quincy Adams, Morse collected and read from many sources. The majority of which were books written by either Adams himself or his close acquaintances (e.g. Quincy Adams’ Memoirs, edition 12. 1874). These primary sources, which are cited in Morse’s bibliography, helped to influence and legitimize the information within Morse’s text.
Morse’s first published tome (1882) is an accurate account of John Quincy Adams’ life. This biography is one of many on Adams, and therefore its contribution to historical literature is lessened. Aside from being a part of the American Statesmen Series, John Quincy Adams has modest historical value considering there are bigger, more accurate, recent, and analytical narratives (John Quincy Adams: A Public Life, a Private Life by Paul C. Nagel). Nevertheless, many readers appreciate the conciseness of the Morse’s text and complement him on his ability to condense a large time period.
“The English language used in this book has been, in most part, lost from our century,” as written by historian David Scranton. The words and word structure in Morse’s volume can be at times drawn out and frustrating, “Mr. Adams's unbounded indignation and profound contempt were reserved for Mr. Crawford, partly, it may be suspected by the cynically minded, because Crawford for a long time seemed to be by far the most formidable rival, but partly also because Crawford was in fact unable to resist the temptation to use ignoble means for attaining an end which he coveted too keenly for his own honor (Morse, p.155).” It is apparent that John T. Morse, Jr. lived in a different period and his writing mimics that of most scholars during the late 1800s era.
John Quincy Adams has been described as having “interesting narrative, just proportion, and judicial candor (The Nation, 1882);” yet, while the tone is admiring and the writing concise, Morse is not analytical and seemingly indifferent. His fact-filled text comes off dreary and gives the reader a dull impression. There are no pictures to assist the reader with their tedious task, however, pictures would not have enhanced understanding or comprehension nor would it have spiked interest. If he were to have rewritten a biography on Adams, Morse could have given personal interpretation of Adams and his years in office. This being said, Morse’s narrative is both informative and educational, providing readers with the life story of Quincy Adams.
The index in the back of John Quincy Adams is thick and rich with information. The purpose of the American Statesmen Series was to provide short and concise biographies to the public which would help to paint a picture of society between the Revolutionary period and the Civil War; therefore, Morse was tasked with accounting Quincy Adams’ entire, relevant life in one short volume. All details not permitted in his text are housed in the index. Though there are no author notes in the index, it does help the reading experience as it organizes names, events, and places and makes navigating the text simple.
“It is unlikely that any future biographer will exceed the skill of John T. Morse in summing up such a lengthy and complex career in so brief a format (Parsons, 1980).” If John T. Morse excelled at anything, it was his ability to condense the life of John Quincy Adams into a diminutive biography. He creates a balanced volume with a necessary and suitable length while also informing the reader of all relevant information on the topic.
John Torrey Morse, Jr., creator and editor of the American Statesmen Series, wrote John Quincy Adams in 1882. His condensed biography stands to this day as the official short biography of Adams. Even since its early conception, this work remains accurate and the language readable. Regardless of generations passed by, John Quincy Adams’ life can be remembered and venerated because of Morse’ American Statesmen Series.
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