American revolutionary, statesman and second president of the US. one of the more radical patriots on the eve of the Revolution, MAssachusetts-born, he helped guide the Continental Congress toward a declaration of independence from Britain. From 1778 to 1788, he involved himself with international diplomacy, serving as minister to France, Britain and the Neterlands. After serving as Washington's vice president, he was elected president in his own right in 1796. His administration suffered from Federalist infighting, internaiton turmoil, and domestic uproar over the Alien and Sedition Acts, all of which contributed to his defeat in the election of 1800.