Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson (April 13 (April 2 O.S.), 1743 – July 4, 1826) was the third (1801–1809) President of the United States, second (1797–1801) Vice President, first (1789–1795) United States Secretary of State, and an American statesman, ambassador to France, political philosopher, revolutionary, agriculturalist, horticulturist, land owner, architect, archaeologist, slaveowner, author, inventor, lawyer and founder of the University of Virginia.

Biographical information

Jefferson's parents were Peter Jefferson (March 29, 1708–August 17, 1757) and Jane Randolph (February 20, 1720–March 31, 1776), both from families who had been settled in Virginia for several generations. He received his formal education at the College of William & Mary (1760-62). As a young student (he arrived at the age of seventeen), Jefferson thrived under the tutelage of Philosophy Professor William Small. Small introduced the enthusiastic Jefferson to the writings of Locke, Bacon and Newton and instructed him in mathematics and philosophy. In college, Jefferson was a member of the secret Flat Hat Club, now the namesake of William and Mary's daily newspaper. After graduating in 1762 (with highest honors), Jefferson studied law with his friend and mentor George Wythe. In 1779 at Jefferson's behest, William & Mary appointed George Wythe the first Professor of Law in America. As Governor of Virginia, Jefferson continued to advocate educational reforms at William & Mary including the nation's first elective system of course study. In 1819, after years of public service, Jefferson founded his unique vision of education at the University of Virginia, then one of the first universities in the world to completely separate higher learning from religious doctrine.

Related Topics:
March 29 - 1708 - August 17 - 1757 - February 20 - 1720 - March 31 - 1776 - Virginia - College of William & Mary - Flat Hat Club - George Wythe - 1779 - University of Virginia

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Jefferson inherited about 5,000 acres (20 km²) of land and dozens of slaves from his father, out of which he created his home which would eventually be known as Monticello. He practiced law in Virginia and in 1772 Jefferson married a widow, Martha Wayles Skelton. Jefferson served in the Virginia House of Burgesses. In 1774, he wrote A Summary View of the Rights of British America which was intended as instructions for the Virginia delegates to a national congress. The summary was considered to be towards the radical side at the time in terms of the view of the colonies towards the British government. It was not followed by the Virginia delegates, but it was published nationally and won Jefferson some national admirers who agreed with his ideas and who were impressed by his writing ability.

Related Topics:
Monticello - 1772 - Martha Wayles Skelton - House of Burgesses - 1774

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Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, and a source of many other contributions to American political and civil culture. The Continental Congress delegated the task of writing the Declaration to a committee which included Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston. The committee met and unanimously solicited Jefferson to prepare the draft of the Declaration alone.

Related Topics:
Declaration of Independence - Continental Congress - John Adams - Benjamin Franklin - Roger Sherman - Robert R. Livingston

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The Library of Congress was founded from the sale of his collection (the Library was founded in 1800; Jefferson sold his third library to Congress in 1815). Jefferson himself designed his famous home, Monticello, near Charlottesville, Virginia; it included automatic doors, the first swivel chair, and other convenient devices invented by Jefferson. Nearby is the only university ever to have been founded by a President of the United States, the University of Virginia, of which the original curriculum and architecture Jefferson designed. Today, Monticello and the University of Virginia are together one of only four man-made World Heritage Sites in the United States of America.

Related Topics:
Library of Congress - 1800 - 1815 - Charlottesville, Virginia - Automatic door - Swivel chair - President of the United States - University of Virginia - Curriculum - World Heritage Sites

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Jefferson's interests included archaeology, a discipline then in its infancy. He has sometimes been called the "father of archaeology" in recognition of his role in developing excavation techniques. When exploring an Indian burial mound on his Virginia estate in 1784, Jefferson avoided the common practice of simply digging downwards until something turned up. Instead, he cut a wedge out of the mound so that he could walk into it, look at the layers of occupation, and draw conclusions from them.

Related Topics:
Father of archaeology - Excavation - Indian - 1784

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Jefferson was also an avid wine lover and noted gourmet. During his ambassadorship to France (1784-1789) he took extensive trips through French and other European wine regions and sent the best back home. He is noted for the bold pronouncement: "We could in the United States make as great a variety of wines as are made in Europe, not exactly of the same kinds, but doubtless as good." While there were extensive vineyards planted at Monticello, a significant portion were of the European wine grape Vitis vinifera and did not survive the many vine diseases native to the Americas.

Related Topics:
Ambassador - France - 1784 - 1789 - Europe - Vitis vinifera

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Jefferson's idea for the United States was that of an agricultural nation of yeoman farmers, in contrast to the vision of Alexander Hamilton, who envisioned a nation of commerce and manufacturing. Jefferson was a great believer in the uniqueness and the potential of the United States and is often classified as the forefather of American exceptionalism (see also exceptionalism).

Related Topics:
Yeoman - Alexander Hamilton - American exceptionalism - Exceptionalism

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Jefferson was the first Secretary of State of the United States, serving from 1789 until 1794. He was also the second Vice President of the United States, under John Adams from 1797 until 1801, achieving that position after getting second place in the presidential election of 1796.

Related Topics:
Secretary of State - 1789 - 1794 - John Adams - 1797 - 1801 - 1796

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An electoral tie resulted between Jefferson and his running-mate Aaron Burr in the U.S. presidential election, 1800. It was resolved on February 17, 1801 when Jefferson was elected President and Burr Vice President by the United States House of Representatives. Jefferson is so far the only Vice President elected to the Presidency to serve two full terms. He was also the first Presidential candidate to be the target of a smear campaign from his opponents due to his religious beliefs. Jefferson, a Deist, was accused of being an atheist by the supporters of John Adams.

Related Topics:
Electoral - Aaron Burr - U.S. presidential election, 1800 - February 17 - 1801 - United States House of Representatives

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Jefferson's portrait appears on the U.S. $2 bill and the U.S. five cent piece, or nickel. Jefferson also appears on the $100 Series EE Savings Bond.

Related Topics:
$2 bill - Nickel - Series EE Savings Bond

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Jefferson passed away on July 4, 1826, the same day as John Adams. He is buried on his Monticello estate. His epitaph, written by him with an insistence that only his words and "not a word more" be inscribed, reads:

Related Topics:
July 4 - 1826 - John Adams - Monticello - Epitaph

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:Here was buried

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:Thomas Jefferson

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:Author of the Declaration of American Independence

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:of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom

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:& Father of the University of Virginia

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Jefferson was the first president to be buried in a grave as opposed to a crypt as both Washington and Adams were.

Related Topics:
Grave - Crypt

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