Thomas Jefferson

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House of Burgesses in the Capitol Williamsburg James City County Virginia by Frances Benjamin Johnston

Monticello 2010-10-29

United States Declaration of Independence

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Independence Hall Assembly Room

Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 – July 4, 1826) was an American statesman, diplomat, lawyer, architect, philosopher, and Founding Father who served as the third President of the United States from 1801 to 1809. He was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and is regarded as one of the most influential figures in early American history.

Early Life

Jefferson was born into a wealthy family in Shadwell, Virginia, the third of ten children. He was educated at the College of William & Mary, where he studied mathematics, metaphysics, and philosophy. After graduating, he went on to study law and was admitted to the Virginia bar in 1767.

Political Career

Jefferson's political career began in 1769 when he was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses. He became known for his opposition to the British Parliament's authority over the colonies. In 1775, he was elected to the Continental Congress, where he drafted the Declaration of Independence.

After the American Revolutionary War, Jefferson served as the governor of Virginia from 1779 to 1781. He later served as the U.S. minister to France from 1785 to 1789, Secretary of State under President George Washington from 1790 to 1793, and Vice President under John Adams from 1797 to 1801.

Presidency

Jefferson was elected president in 1800 in a closely contested election with Aaron Burr. During his presidency, he oversaw the purchase of the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803, which doubled the size of the United States. He also commissioned the Lewis and Clark Expedition to explore the new territories.

Philosophy and Beliefs

Jefferson was a proponent of democracy, republicanism, and individual rights, influencing American political philosophy for generations. He was a strong advocate for the separation of church and state and believed in the importance of education in democracy.

Monticello

Jefferson is also remembered for his architectural designs, most notably his Virginia plantation home, Monticello, and the University of Virginia, which he founded in 1819.

Legacy

Jefferson's legacy is complex. He is celebrated for his role in the founding of the United States and his promotion of ideals of liberty and democracy. However, his ownership of slaves and his policies towards Native American peoples have been subjects of criticism.

Jefferson died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, at his home in Monticello. 0