Founded in 2014, AAI is an independent scholarly institute dedicated to providing supplementary humanistic education to the Harvard intellectual community. We foster shared intellectual life by exploring questions of deep human concern that cut across the boundaries of academic disciplines. Throughout the year, we provide a range of programming for Harvard and other Boston area university students, as well as Cambridge and Boston area young professionals, including reading and discussion groups, workshops, lectures, conversations with faculty, intellectual retreats, and mentoring, while our summer seminars attract students and scholars from around the world. The name of the Institute honors the Massachusetts native Abigail Adams, whose capacious learning, judicious insight, and wise counsel shaped the founding and early development of the American nation. 

Come visit us at our headquarters on 14 Arrow Street, and get to know about our people, mission and programming. You can also sign up for our mailing list to stay up to date on our upcoming speakers, activities, seminars or other opportunities.

Why Abigail Adams?

Abigail Adams is a Massachusetts native, born in Weymouth and spending most of her adult life in Braintree, just outside of Boston.

Her influence on the founding of the United States of America cannot be overstated, as her role as guide and advisor to her husband John led to critics referring to her as “Mrs. President”.

Her letters to John show her intellectual intensity, her strong convictions regarding women’s rights, and her dedication to combatting slavery.

Beyond the letters, she focused on the supplemental education of her children especially future president John Quincy Adams. We follow in her footsteps in ensuring quality supplemental education for the greater Harvard community.