A novel of disillusionment by Henry Adams, who was great grandson of Nathaniel Gorham, a signatory to the United States Constitution. Another great grandfather was President John Adams, and Adams’ paternal grandfather was John Quincy Adams; his father, Charles Francis Adams Sr. broke the dynasty by failing to gain election even to the office of vice presidency, though he ran twice in 1848 and 1872.
Adams was appointed Professor of Medieval History at Harvard in 1870, but retired still young at 39. Among his prominent students was Henry Cabot Lodge, who worked closely under Adams while pursuing graduate studies.
Adams infamously said of Confederate war hero General Robert E. Lee:
"I think that Lee should have been hanged. It was all the worse that he was a good man and a fine character and acted conscientiously. It's always the good men who do the most harm in the world.”