Politics and Military
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Adams, John
Followed George Washington as president of the United States, becoming the country's second chief executive. An early colonist agitator against the Stamp Act of 1765, John Adams helped draft the Declaration of Independence in 1776. His son, John Quincy Adams, was president from 1825-29.
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Adams, Samuel
American politician and Revolutionary leader, born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. A second cousin to John Adams, he studied law, failed at several business enterprises, became a tax collector, then devoted himself to politics. One of the first and most outspoken colonists to oppose British laws and policies.
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Agnew, Spiro
US vice-president, born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, the son of a Greek immigrant. After service in World War 2 he studied law at Baltimore University (1947). In 1966 he was elected governor of Maryland on a liberal platform, introducing anti-racial-discrimination legislation that year. As a compromise figure acceptable to most shades of Republican opinion, he was Nixon's running mate in 1968 and 1972, and took office as vice-president in 1969. He resigned in 1973, following an investigation into bribery and other crimes.
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Augustine, Saint
Born in Thagaste, North Africa, he is a major Christian pilosopher and theologian and the key figure in the transition from pagan to specifically christian philosophy.
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Aurelius, Marcus
Roman emperor, named originally Marcus Annius Verus. He was a nephew of Faustina, the wife of Antoninus Pius, who adopted him. Marcus married Antoninus’ daughter, another Faustina. From youth he was a diligent student and a zealous Stoic. With his adoptive brother, Lucius Verus, as colleague, Marcus succeeded Antoninus in 161. Verus allowed him to dominate, and from 169 Marcus was sole emperor.