I . Ansel Adams
(1902–85)
a US photographer who took black and white photographs of the US South-West. One of his best-known books was Taos Pueblo (1930). He helped to create the department of photography at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1940, and was director of the Sierra Club, an organization to protect nature, for 37 years.
II . Douglas Adams
(1952–2001)
an English writer of comic science fiction. His best-known book is The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy .
III . Gerry Adams
(1948– )
a Northern Ireland politician. He has been the President of Sinn Fein since 1983. He was elected MP for West Belfast in 1983, 1987, 1997 and 2001 but did not take his seat in Parliament because he refused to recognize the authority of Westminster (2) in Northern Ireland. He has been criticized for being involved with terrorists but he has played an important part in peace negotiations including those that led to the Good Friday Agreement .
IV . John Adams
(1735–1826)
the second President of the US after being the country’s first Vice-president. He was a leader in forming the Declaration of Independence . He was not a very popular president because of arguments within his government and problems in foreign relations, especially with France. He was the father of John Quincy Adams .
V . John Quincy Adams
(1767–1848)
the sixth President of the US. He was not a popular president because his government passed a tariff act (= a tax on imports). He had had more success earlier as Secretary of State , helping to write the Monroe Doctrine and adding Florida as a state. He was the son of John Adams .