Proposal for an American Language Academy

Proposal for an American Language Academy
By: John Adams 1780

John Adams was elected the second president of the United States of America in March 1797 after George Washington. He ruled the country for four years until March 1801. During his political career he filled several positions in the government. Among them it is worth mentioning that he was a member of the Continental Congress from 1774 – 78, the very same Congress he later on wrote this letter to. During the Revolutionary War he served in France and Holland in Diplomatic roles. He worked as a minister in Holland when he wrote the letter containing a “Proposal for an American Language Academy” to the president of the Congress in 1780. He was motivated to write this letter during his stay in Europe where he discovered how eloquence is cultivated in the free republics, beginning in Athens and Rome. History shows how these r...