HISTORY
Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 – July 4, 1826) was the third U.S. president (1801-1809) and the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. He served as the first U.S. secretary of state and second vice president. Jefferson was a strong advocate for democracy, republicanism, and natural rights.
Thomas Jefferson’s father, Peter Jefferson, was a successful planter and surveyor, while his mother Jane Randolph, came from a prominent Virginia family. After his father’s death when Jefferson was fourteen, he inherited around 5,000 acres, including the Shadwell house, though he dreamt of living on a mountain.
EARLY LIFE
As a boy, Jefferson studied math, history, Latin, Greek, and French. He entered the College of William and Mary in 1760 and began studying law with George Wythe in 1762. In 1767, he recorded his first legal case, and two years later, was elected to Virginia’s House of Burgess.
In 1768, Jefferson began clearing the top of an 868-foot mountain near Shadwell, naming it Monticello, and designing a house there. where he had played as a boy. He referred to it as “my essay in Architecture. In 1769, he started building a two-story brick home for himself, his wife Martha, and their first child.
Thomas Jefferson, once celebrated as America’s “apostle of liberty,” is now critically reassessed, particularly due to his reliance on slavery and views on racial inequality. His alleged relationship with enslaved woman Sally Hemings, confirmed by DNA evidence, has further complicated his legacy. Despite this, he remains an influential figure globally, symbolizing democracy for various political movements. The Jefferson Memorial was dedicated on his 200th birthday in 1943.
INTERESTING FACTS
- Early Paleontologist – Studied fossils before paleontology was a formal science.
- Architect – Designed Monticello, Poplar Forest, the Virginia State Capital, and the University of Virginia.
- Wine Aficionado – Imported European wines and attempted to grow wine grapes at Monticello.
- Founding Foodie – Introduced new foods and farming techniques.
- Book Enthusiast – Amassed the largest personal library in the U.S. and sold 6,500 books to the Library of Congress.
- Founding Foodie – Introduced French cuisine to America, popularizing ice cream and mac ‘n’ cheese.
ACHIEVEMENTS
- Primary Author of the Declaration of Independence (1776) – Played a key role in drafting the document that established American independence.
- Third President of the United States (1801-1809) – Served two terms and shaped early U.S. policies.
- Louisiana Purchase (1803) – Doubled the size of the U.S. by acquiring land from France.
- Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806) – Commissioned the exploration of the western territories.
- Founded the University of Virginia (1819) – Designed and established one of the first secular universities in the U.S.
- Advocated for Religious Freedom – Drafted the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, a foundation for the First Amendment.
- Reduced National Debt – Cut military spending and eliminated taxes to stabilize the economy.
- Embargo Act (1807) – Attempted to protect U.S. interests by halting trade with warring European nations.
- Designed Monticello and the Virginia State Capitol – Showcased his skills as an architect.
- Expanded Public Education and Knowledge – Donated his vast personal book collection to rebuild the Library of Congress.