THOMAS JEFFERSON

Joseph ReedOctober 12, 2013DC History 106 / Block 5Mr. Higgins

“My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.”

- Thomas Jefferson (1)

A True Patriot

We all know that he was the third

President of the United States, but

who was he outside of politics? How did

he develop his views and ideals that got

him into the presidency? Thomas Jefferson’s presidential

portrait (9)

Birth and DeathThomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743, in Shadwell, Virginia. Jefferson died in bed at Monticello (located near Charlottesville, Virginia) on July 4, 1826. Jefferson is buried in the family cemetery at Monticello, in a grave marked by a plain gray tombstone. (2)

The inscription on Thomas Jefferson’s tombstone. (7)

Physical

Measuring up at 6’2”, Jefferson was considerably taller for his time period. He also weighed in at 185 pounds. (4)

Statue from the Jefferson Memorial in

D.C. (10)

Nicknames

Jefferson’s main nickname is the “Father of the Declaration of Independence” for his credit in writing every draft of the Declaration. (2) He’s also called the “Sage of Monticello” because of this John Adams quote: “The most exalted of our young Genius's in Boston have an Ambition to see Montecello, its Library and its Sage.“ (5)

Thomas Jefferson’s estate, Monticello (11)

Marriage and Children

While practicing law in Virginia, he met Martha Wayles Skelton, a recent widow and one of the wealthiest women in Virginia. The pair married on January 1, 1772. Thomas and Martha Jefferson had six children together, but only two survived into adulthood: Martha, their firstborn, and Mary, their fourth. Only Martha survived her father. (2)

Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson (6)

Family HistoryJefferson was born into one of the most prominent families of Virginia's planter elite. His mother, Jane Randolph Jefferson, was a member of the proud Randolph clan, a family claiming descent from English and Scottish royalty. His father, Peter Jefferson, was a successful farmer as well as a skilled cartographer who produced the first accurate map of the Virginia.

Jefferson had five siblings: two older sisters, two younger sisters and a younger brother. (2)

Jane Randolph Jefferson (12)

Hometown

Jefferson was born in Shadwell, Virginia. As a boy in Shadwell, he spent most of his time playing in the woods, practicing violin, and reading. He also received his lower-level education while in his hometown. (2)

This is the text on a sign outside modern-day Shadwell. (13)

Occupation and Career

Thomas Jefferson was a draftsman of the Declaration of Independence (1776) and the third U.S. president (1801-09). He was also responsible for the Louisiana Purchase (1803).

“We the People” is one of the most iconic phrases in our national history,

and was written by Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence. (14)

EducationHis formal education began at the age of nine, studying Latin and Greek at a local private school. In 1757, at the age of 14, he took up further study of the classical languages as well as literature and mathematics with the Reverend James Maury, whom Jefferson later described as "a correct classical scholar." In 1760, Jefferson attended the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. The serious and precocious Jefferson fell in with a circle of older scholars that included Professor William Small, Lieutenant Governor Francis Fauquier,

and lawyer George Wythe, and it was from them that he received his true education. After three years at William and Mary, Jefferson went to read law under Wyth, and by the time Jefferson won admission to the Virginia bar in 1767, he was already one of the most learned lawyers in America. (2)

George Wythe, Jefferson’s law teacher. (

Religion and GroupsReligion

Jefferson was a Christian deist. This meant that he believed in the doctrine of the Christian religion, but not in the divinity of Jesus. Although he was religious, he strongly advocated the separation of church and state. (15)

Groups and Affiliations

His political affiliation was with the Democratic-Republican Party. He was also an elected member of the House of Burgesses, and held many political offices in the U.S. government. (15)

Portrayal of the Virginia House of Burgesses. (16)

Events, Military, and Writings Major Events

Jefferson’s two major life events were the American Revolution and writing the Declaration of Independence. (2)

Military Experience

While he had no actual military experience, he

supported the war by writing the document

that started it in the first place. (2)

Most Famous WritingsBy far, Jefferson’s most famous and most important writing is the Declaration of Independence. He was

chosen to write it because of his strong and well known writing abilities. (2)

Ben Franklin, James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson. (18)

ConclusionThomas Jefferson was a very proper and successful man, and I am in no way refuting that. He is a perfect example of how classical education can lead to success throughout your life, and instill very strong values. He was clearly very literate, and also had the ability to apply all of his knowledge. Professionally, I would consider him an inspiration for what todays men should be.

The Jefferson Memorial (19)

3 Odd Facts

1. Thomas Jefferson was the only two term president who never vetoed a bill (3)

2. While Thomas Jefferson was a staunch supporter of the freedom of religion, he advocated the separation of church and state. (3)

3. Thomas Jefferson was publicly opposed to slavery. (3)

Jefferson’s signature (8)

1. http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/t/thomasjeff157220.html2. http://www.biography.com/people/thomas-jefferson-93537153. http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-facts-about-thomas-jefferson.php#_/term_4. http://www.ask.com/question/how-much-did-thomas-jefferson-weigh5. http://www.monticello.org/site/jefferson/sage-monticello-quotation6. http://amhistory.si.edu/img/firstladies/129-800.jpg7. http://toptensbest.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/jefferson_grave.jpg8. http://

upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0d/Thomas_Jefferson_Signature.svg9. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/Thomas_Jefferson_by_Rembra

ndt_Peale,_1800.jpg

10. http://erikburd.org/pictures/dc2001/jefferson/12140005.jpg11. http://www.storywarren.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/monticello.jpg12. http://www.rbberg.net/exhibits/34471-p.jpg13. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7198/6867773054_679c2c2961_z.jpg14. http://

www.popularresistance.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Declaration-of-Independence.jpg

15. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson16. http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/graphics/houseofburgesses2.jpg17. http://www.history.org/almanack/people/bios/images/georgewythep.jpg18. http://

www.history.com/images/media/slideshow/john-adams/john-adams-declaration.jpg19. http://

cdn01.dailycaller.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/jefferson-memorial-picture.jpg

Sources