Henry Adams was a notable writer of American history. His success was expected considering his famous pedigree. His family tree bore golden apples. His maternal grandfather was Peter Chardon Brooks, the wealthiest Bostonian of his era. His grandfather on his father's side was John Quincy Adams who, as every good history professor knows, was the son of John Adams. Greatness was in his blood.

Henry Brooks Adams was born on the sixteenth of February in 1838 in Boston. He was the fourth of five children. His parents were Charles Francis Adams and Abigail. The early years of young Henry's life were spent in precocious study of his interests, particularly history and religion. His family was devoutly Protestant. He attended Harvard University where he developed his ability for writing by publishing stories and essays in the Harvard Magazine. Adams graduated in 1858.

That same year Adams embarked on a bit of...