Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson Biography
Overview
Thomas Jefferson was one of the most pivotal people in the founding of the United States. He was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, the first Secretary of State, the 2nd Vice President and the 3rd President of the United States. (1)
His influence to the new nation’s government and growth cannot be overstated. He was a integral part of drafting the Declaration of Independence and created many laws for individual rights. When Jefferson was Secretary of State under George Washington he was a critical advisor to the President and greatly influenced the first Presidency. While President he doubled the size of the United States with the Louisiana Purchase. He would also influence and shape the Madison and Monroe presidencies because of his closeness and mentorship of James Madison and James Monroe. He was also the founder of the University of Virginia.
Belle Grove Plantation near Port Conway in the Colony of Virginia
Quick Facts:
| Full Name | Thomas Jefferson |
| Birth Date | April 13, 1743 |
| Birth Place | Shadwell plantation, Goochland County, Virginia |
| Death Date | July 4, 1826 |
| Career | Lawyer, Planter |
| Spouse | Martha Wayles Skelton (1748–1782) |
| Children | Martha (1772–1836), Jane Randolph (1774–1775), infant son (1777), Mary (1778–1804), Lucy Elizabeth (1780–1781), Lucy Elizabeth (1782–1785) |
| President No. | 3 |
| Presidency Begin | March 4, 1801 |
| Presidency End | March 4, 1809 |
| Vice President(s) | Aaron Burr (1801-1805) George Clinton (1805-1809) |
| Administation | Millercenter.org |
Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743, at the family home in Shadwell Plantation in the Colony of Virginia, the third of ten children.[20] His father Peter Jefferson was a planter and surveyor who died when Jefferson was fourteen; his mother was Jane Randolph. Peter Jefferson moved his family to Tuckahoe Plantation in 1745 upon the death of William Randolph III, the plantation’s owner and Jefferson’s friend, who in his will had named Peter guardian of Randolph’s children. The Jeffersons returned to Shadwell in 1752, where Peter died in 1757; his estate was divided between his sons Thomas and Randolph.[21] John Harvie Sr. then became Thomas’ guardian.[22] Thomas inherited approximately 5,000 acres (2,000 ha; 7.8 sq mi) of land, including Monticello. He assumed full authority over his property at age 21.[23]
Resources
Web Sites:
Books:
by John Meachamuis Ketcham
by Andrew Burstein, Nancy Isenberg
REFERENCES
- (1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Madison
- (2) Thomas Jefferson Portrait- Mather Brown, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (2017, September 25). Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository. Retrieved 12:49, June 16, 2021 from https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:James_Madison_Portrait2.jpg&oldid=259822974.
- (3) Belle Grove – Library of Congress, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- (20) Tucker, George (1837). The Life of Thomas Jefferson, Third President of the United States; 2 vol. Carey, Lea & Blanchard. Vol. 1, p. 18
- (21) Malone, Dumas. Jefferson (6 vol. 1948–1981) —— (1948). Jefferson, The Virginian. Jefferson and His Time. 1. Little Brown. OCLC 1823927. pp. 31-33
- (22) Woods, Edgar (1901). Albemarle County in Virginia. Charlottesville, Virginia. p. 225.
- (23) Malone, 1948, pp. 437–40.