The descendant of two presidents and the son of noted diplomat Charles Francis Adams, whose personal papers are included in The Adams Papers, above, Charles Francis Adams II's diverse interests and talents contributed to growth in many areas of Massachusetts life.

This collection of diaries, personal journals, and literary drafts covers many areas of Adams' life, including: Adams' Civil War service with a black cavalry regiment; his energetic leadership of the Massachusetts Railroad Commission and his ill-fated six-year tenure as president of the Union Pacific Railroad; his promotion of educational reforms; and his historical projects, including presidency of the Massachusetts Historical Society and several published biographies (one on his diplomat father).