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How 2 Famous Future US Presidents Conspired To Steal From William Shakespeare’s House
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were bored while touring the home of their famous author, so they decided to steal a souvenir
Politicians traditionally do a lot of traveling and meet a lot of people. Accordingly, they are closely watched and expected to be on their best behavior. However, that doesn’t always mean they are minding their manners. One of the most clear cases of this involved two future U.S. Presidents who were traveling together in England on official State business and stopped to tour the birthplace of famed writer William Shakespeare. Putting niceties aside, the pair decided to take souvenirs with them, and stole a relic from the old home.
In 1786, Thomas Jefferson, destined to become the third President of the United States, was serving as the country’s minister to France. Meanwhile, John Adams, the future second president, was in the role of British Ambassador. Together, the pair were traveling through England and made a stop in Stratford-Upon-Avon, most famously known as the birthplace of famed writer William Shakespeare.
A tour of the Bard’s former home (he died in 1616) was an anticipated highlight of the trip, as both men were avid readers, and…
