Abigail Adams, born Abigail Smith on November 22, 1744, in Weymouth, Massachusetts, was an influential figure in early American history, known for her extensive correspondence and her role as a confidante and advisor to her husband, John Adams, the second President of the United States. Her letters provide a vital record of political and social life during the formative years of the United States.

Raised in a family with strong religious beliefs, Abigail lacked a formal education, which was common for women at the time. However, she was taught to read and write at home, and had access to the extensive libraries of her father and maternal grandfather, both of whom were ministers. This access allowed her to educate herself in a wide range of subjects, from philosophy to government.

Abigail married John Adams in 1764, and their partnership was one of intellectual companionship and mutual respect. John often sought her counsel in his political work, and during their long periods apart—when John was a delegate to the Continental Congress or serving as a diplomat in Europe—Abigail managed their farm and family affairs with considerable skill. Her letters to John, filled with observations on politics and advice on matters of state, show her to be a formidable thinker in her own right.

During the Revolutionary War, Abigail's letters advocated for justice and human rights. In March 1776, she wrote the famous “Remember the Ladies” letter to John, urging him and the other members of the Continental Congress not to forget about America’s women when fighting for the country's independence from Britain. This appeal was one of the earliest organized efforts to promote women’s rights in America.

Abigail Adams also commented extensively on the events and ideas of her time, including her support for women’s education and her abolitionist sentiments—she was opposed to slavery and believed in its eventual demise.

Her role expanded when John Adams became Vice President and then President of the United States. As the First Lady from 1797 to 1801, although the term was not used at the time, she continued to influence her husband’s policies and remained his closest advisor.

Abigail Adams died on October 28, 1818, in Quincy, Massachusetts. Her legacy as a proto-feminist and vital interpreter of the Revolutionary experience lives on through her letters, which continue to be read and studied for their insightful commentary into the era of American independence and the early years of the United States.