The monument to John Adams’ greatness is not made of stone but of paper: his lively and revealing correspondence with wife, Abigail, his friends, and later, Thomas Jefferson. The letters show Adams to be well read, articulate, opinionated, honest, vain and in Franklin’s words: “… sometimes mad.” Abigail emerges as strongly supportive, level headed, intelligent, staunchly patriotic and fearlessly assertive of women’s rights.

This colloquy is as much if not more about Abigail than John. Together, they were a formidable couple, national leaders and founders of a family dynasty. They are most deserving of attention, reflection, even instruction, in our similarly turbulent times.

Facilitator: John Roberts, M.D., is Emeritus Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Boston University, and the President of the Blue Hill Historical Society.