The Madman from Massachusetts

The "Madman from Massachusetts" is another nickname that sounds like it would be given to a wrestler at Wrestlemania, but it was actually given to John Quincy Adams, the sixth President of the United States. What did Adams do to earn the label of a lunatic? He dared to question the necessity of slavery. Adams initially believed that slavery was immoral but that it was vital to maintain the Union. He developed become a full-fledged abolitionist throughout the years and held the view that either the South would abolish slavery or there would be civil war.

As you can expect, his beliefs made him a lot of opponents, particularly in areas south of the Mason-Dixon Line. When he was still a member of the House of Representatives in 1842, he narrowly avoided being censured for his antislavery activism. In retrospect, being referred to as the "Madman from Massachusetts" was far from the worst thing he had to deal with because of his activities, for which he received several snubs and even threats to his life.

• 6th President of the United States

In office: March 4, 1825 – March 4, 1829
Vice President; John C. Calhoun
Preceded by: James Monroe
Succeeded by: Andrew Jackson