John Adams (1735-1826) was the Massachusetts delegate to the First and Second Continental Congresses. After serving as Vice President for two terms under George Washington, he was subsequently elected President. Abigail Smith Adams (1744-1818) was one of the most influential women of her era. Frank Shuffelton is a professor of English at the University of Rochester, and he edited the Penguin Classics edition of Notes on the State of Virginia by Thomas Jefferson.