Adams, Henry Brooks - Washington DC

Henry Brooks Adams

Washington, DC

N 38° 56.844 W 077° 00.618

Adams Memorial

The grave of Henry Adams and Marian Hooper Adams, known as Clover, is marked by a sculpture created by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. The sculpture was commissioned by Henry Brooks Adams upon the death of his wife Marian Hooper "Clover" Adams who committed suicide at the age of 42 because of health issues that led to depression. The Adams Memorial is set within a closed space surrounded by conifers in Rock Creek Cemetery. It is the most visited grave in Washington DC. At the request of Henry Brooks Adams, there are no inscriptions at the gravesite.

The 5' 10" bronze sculpture depicts a draped figure of undetermined gender seated on a granite bench with their right arm bent upwards touching the lower right side of their face. The figure has an expression of sadness with eyes closed. Saint-Gaudens named this sculpture Mystery of the Hereafter and The Peace of God that Passeth Understanding, but it is commonly called Grief.

Grief

Grief - Detail

Henry Brooks Adams was a historian, author, and journalist and the great grandson of the sixth President of the United States John Quincy Adams. He was the great-grandson of President John Adams, the grandson of President John Quincy Adams.

Henry Brooks Adams was born in Boston on February 16, 1838 into the prominent Adams family. He graduated Harvard University in 1858. In Washington, DC began his career as a journalist and in 1870 he became a professor of medieval history at Harvard University.

Adams is most famous for his nine volume work The History of the United States of America (1801 to 1817) His other writings include (in chronological order):

Essays in Anglo-Saxon Law

Life of Albert Gallatin.

The Writings of Albert Gallatin

Democracy: An American Novel

John Randolph.

Esther: A Novel

1889–1891. History of the United States During the Administrations of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison (9 volumes).

Historical Essays.

Tahiti: Memoirs of Arii Taimai e Marama of Eimee ... Last Queen of Tahiti

Mont Saint Michel and Chartres.

The Life of George Cabot Lodge

The Education of Henry Adams

The Degradation of the Democratic Dogma

Letters

The Letters of Henry Adams, Volumes 1–3: 1858–1892 .

The Letters of Henry Adams, Volumes 4–6: 1892–1918