John Quincy Adams, The First President To Be Photographed

By All That's Interesting | Edited By John Kuroski

Published June 1, 2012

Updated January 16, 2018

Taken by Philip Haas in 1843, John Quincy Adams was captured in his family home is the oldest surviving photograph of a United States President.

Taken in 1843, this rather stern depiction of John Quincy Adams is the earliest confirmed, surviving photograph of an American President. We sure have come a long way.

For more after you see the picture of the first President to be photographed, check out our posts on famous influential photographs that changed history. Then, see famous images that were actually photoshopped.

author

Established in 2010, All That's Interesting brings together a dedicated staff of digital publishing veterans and subject-level experts in history, true crime, and science. From the lesser-known byways of human history to the uncharted corners of the world, we seek out stories that bring our past, present, and future to life. Privately-owned since its founding, All That's Interesting maintains a commitment to unbiased reporting while taking great care in fact-checking and research to ensure that we meet the highest standards of accuracy.

editor

John Kuroski is the editorial director of All That's Interesting. He graduated from New York University with a degree in history, earning a place in the Phi Alpha Theta honor society for history students. An editor at All That's Interesting since 2015, his areas of interest include modern history and true crime.