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See Also

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson was the third President of the United States President of the United States

The President of the United States of America is the head of state [i] of the United States [i]. ... 

 , principal author of the Declaration of Independence United States Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence is the document in which the Thirteen Colonies [i] in North America [i] ... 

 , and an influential founder Founding Fathers of the United States

Founding Fathers of the United States, also known to some Americans as the Fathers of Our Country,... 

 of the United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

. With James Madison James Madison

James Madison was the fourth President of the United States [i]. ... 

 he founded the Jeffersonian Republican Party Jeffersonian Republican Party

div class="boilerplate metadata" id="afd" style="margin: 0 5%; padding: 0 7px 7px 7px; background: #EDF1F1; bo... 

 in 1792. Major events during his presidency include the Louisiana Purchase Louisiana Purchase

The Louisiana Purchase was the acquisition by the United States [i] of more than 530,000,000 acres of ... 

 , the Embargo Act of 1807 Embargo Act of 1807

The Embargo Act of 1807 was an American [i] law prohibiting all export of cargo from Ameri ... 

, and the Lewis and Clark Expedition Lewis and Clark Expedition

The Lewis and Clark expedition was the first United States [i] overland expedition to the Pacific [i] ... 

 . A political philosopher who promoted republicanism and the separation of church and state Separation of church and state

The separation of church and state is a political doctrine which states that the institutions of the sta... 

, he was the author of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom

The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom was written in 1779 by Thomas Jefferson [i]. ... 

 , which was the basis of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment Establishment Clause of the First Amendment

The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment [i] to the United States Constitution [i] states that: ... 

 of the United States Constitution United States Constitution

The United States Constitution is the supreme law [i] of the United States of America [i]. ... 

.

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Timeline

1743   Born

1789   Thomas Jefferson brings the first ''macaroni Macaroni

Macaroni is typically machine-made dry commercial pasta [i], used in contrast to fresh pasta made at hom ... 

'' machine to the United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

1790   Thomas Jefferson reported to President Washington George Washington

George Washington commanded the American colonies' [i] Continental Army [i] during th ... 

 in New York New York

New York is a state [i] in the northeastern [i] United States [i]. ... 

 as the new secretary of state.

1796   November: John Adams John Adams

John Adams was a Founding Father [i] of the United States and American politician [i] ... 

 defeats Thomas Jefferson in the U.S. presidential election United States presidential election, 1796

The United States presidential election of 1796 was the first contested American presidential election a... 

1801   An electoral United States Electoral College

The United States Electoral College is the unofficial name of the group of Presidential Electors who are... 

 tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr Aaron Burr

Aaron Burr, Jr. was an American [i] politician [i] and adventurer [i]. ... 

 is resolved when Jefferson is elected President of the United States President of the United States

The President of the United States of America is the head of state [i] of the United States [i]. ... 

 and Burr Vice President Vice President of the United States

The Vice President of the United States is the second-highest executive official of the United States government [i] ... 

 by the United States House of Representatives United States House of Representatives

The United States House of Representatives is one of the two chambers [i] of the United States Congress [i] ... 

.

1801   Thomas Jefferson succeeds John Adams John Adams

John Adams was a Founding Father [i] of the United States and American politician [i] ... 

 as the President of the United States of America President of the United States

The President of the United States of America is the head of state [i] of the United States [i]. ... 

.

1804   Thomas Jefferson defeats Charles C. Pinckney Charles Cotesworth Pinckney

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, was an early American statesman [i] and a signer of the U.S. Constitution [i] ... 

 in U.S. presidential election United States presidential election, 1804

The United States presidential election of 1804 pitted incumbent Republican [i] ... 

.

1809   James Madison James Madison

James Madison was the fourth President of the United States [i]. ... 

 succeeds Thomas Jefferson as the President of the United States President of the United States

The President of the United States of America is the head of state [i] of the United States [i]. ... 

.

1826   Died

1998   The journal ''Nature Nature (journal)

Nature is one of the oldest scientific journal [i]s, first published on 4 November [i] 1869 [i]. ... 

'' publishes a genetic study showing compelling evidence that Thomas Jefferson fathered his slave Sally Hemings' son Eston Hemings Jefferson.

   More Events >>


Quotations

Blest is that nation whose silent course of happiness furnishes nothing for history to say.

Letter to Diodati (1807)

But though an old man, I am but a young gardener.

Letter to Charles Willson Peale (August 20, 1811)

Christianity neither is, nor ever was a part of the common law.

Letter to Dr. Thomas Cooper (February 10, 1814)

Delay is preferable to error.

Letter to George Washington (May 16, 1792)

How much pain have cost us the evils which have never happened.

I agree with you that there is a natural aristocracy among men. The grounds of this are virtue and talents.

Letter to John Adams (October 28, 1813)

       More Quotes >>


Encyclopedia

Thomas Jefferson was the third President of the United States President of the United States

The President of the United States of America is the head of state [i] of the United States [i]. ... 

 , principal author of the Declaration of Independence United States Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence is the document in which the Thirteen Colonies [i] in North America [i] ... 

 , and an influential founder Founding Fathers of the United States

Founding Fathers of the United States, also known to some Americans as the Fathers of Our Country,... 

 of the United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

. With James Madison James Madison

James Madison was the fourth President of the United States [i].... 

 he founded the Jeffersonian Republican Party Jeffersonian Republican Party

div class="boilerplate metadata" id="afd" style="margin: 0 5%; padding: 0 7px 7px 7px; background: #EDF1F1; bo... 

 in 1792. Major events during his presidency include the Louisiana Purchase Louisiana Purchase

The Louisiana Purchase was the acquisition by the United States [i] of more than 530,000,000 acres of ... 

 , the Embargo Act of 1807 Embargo Act of 1807

The Embargo Act of 1807 was an American [i] law prohibiting all export of cargo from Ameri ... 

, and the Lewis and Clark Expedition Lewis and Clark Expedition

The Lewis and Clark expedition was the first United States [i] overland expedition to the Pacific [i] ... 

 .

A political philosopher who promoted republicanism and the separation of church and state Separation of church and state

The separation of church and state is a political doctrine which states that the institutions of the sta... 

, he was the author of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom

The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom was written in 1779 by Thomas Jefferson [i]. ... 

 , which was the basis of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment Establishment Clause of the First Amendment

The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment [i] to the United States Constitution [i] states that:
... 

 of the United States Constitution United States Constitution

The United States Constitution is the supreme law [i] of the United States of America [i]. ... 

. He was the eponym of Jeffersonian democracy Jeffersonian democracy

A Jeffersonian democracy [i] is a form of government named for American [i] statesman Thomas Jefferson [i] ... 

 and the founder and leader of the Jeffersonian Republican Party Jeffersonian Republican Party

div class="boilerplate metadata" id="afd" style="margin: 0 5%; padding: 0 7px 7px 7px; background: #EDF1F1; bo... 

, which dominated American politics First Party System

The First Party System is the term political scientists and historians give to the political system exis... 

 for over a quarter-century. Jefferson also served as the second Governor of Virginia Governor of Virginia

The Governor [i] of Virginia serves as the chief executive of the Commonwealth of Virginia [i] ... 

 , first United States Secretary of State United States Secretary of State

The United States Secretary of State is the head of the United States Department of State [i], concerned ... 

 , and second Vice President Vice President of the United States

The Vice President of the United States is the second-highest executive official of the United States government [i] ... 

 .

In addition to his political career, Jefferson was a plantation Plantation economy

A plantation economy is an economy [i] which is based on agricultural [i] mass production, usually of a ... 

 owner, horticulturist, architect Architect

An architect is a person involved in the planning [i], designing [i] and oversight of a building's [i] ... 

, archaeologist Archaeology

Archaeology, archeology, or archology is the study of human [i] culture [i]s through... 

, paleontologist Paleontology

Paleontology or palaeontology is the study of the developing history of life [i] on Earth [i], in... 

, author, inventor, violinist, and the founder of the University of Virginia University of Virginia

The University of Virginia is a public research university [i] in Charlottesville, Virginia [i], establ ... 

. President John F. Kennedy John F. Kennedy

John Fitzgerald Kennedy (May 29, 1917 – November 22, 1963), also referred to as John F.... 

 welcomed forty-nine Nobel Prize Nobel Prize

The Nobel Prizes are prize [i]s instituted by the will [i] of Alfred Nobel [i], awarded to people... 

 winners of the Western Hemisphere to the White House in 1962, saying, "I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered at the White House, with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone."

Early life and education

Jefferson was born on April 2, 1743 according to the Julian calendar Julian calendar

The Julian calendar was introduced in 46 BC [i] by Julius Caesar [i] and took force in 45 BC [i] . ... 

  used at the time, but under the Gregorian calendar Gregorian calendar

The Gregorian calendar is the calendar [i] that is used nearly everywhere in the world.... 

  adopted during his lifetime, he was born on April 13.

He was born into a prosperous Virginia family, the third of ten children . His mother was Jane Randolph, daughter of Isham Randolph, and a cousin of Peyton Randolph Peyton Randolph

Peyton Randolph was the first President of the Continental Congress [i].... 

. Jefferson's father was Peter Jefferson, a planter and surveyor who owned a plantation Plantation

A plantation is an intentional planting of a crop, on a larger scale, usually for uses other than cereal... 

 in Albemarle County named Shadwell. Following a fire that burned down the family home at Shadwell, Peter Jefferson moved his family to Edge Hill, Virginia.


In 1752, Jefferson began attending a local school run by William Douglas, a Scottish Scotland

Scotland is a nation [i] in northwest Europe [i] and one of the constituent [i] countries [i] ... 

 reverend. At the age of nine, Jefferson began studying the classical languages — Latin Latin

Latin is an ancient Indo-European language [i] originally spoken in Latium [i], ... 

 and Greek — as well as French French language

French is the third-largest of the Romance languages [i] in terms of number of native speakers, after Spanish [i] ... 

. In 1757, when he was 14 years old, his father died. Jefferson inherited about 5,000 acres of land and dozens of slaves History of slavery in the United States

*Frederick Douglass [i] - Nation's most powerful anti-slavery speaker, a former slave. ... 

. He built his home there, which eventually became known as Monticello Monticello

Monticello, located near Charlottesville [i], Virginia [i], was the estate of ... 

.

After his father's death, he was taught at the school of the learned James Maury, a reverend, from 1758 to 1760. The school was in Fredericksburg Fredericksburg, Virginia

Fredericksburg is an independent city [i] in the U.S. ... 

 parish, twelve miles from Shadwell, and Jefferson boarded with Maury's family. There he received a classical education and studied history and natural science Natural science

In science [i], natural science is the rational [i] study of the universe [i] via rules or laws o ... 

.

Jefferson entered the College of William and Mary College of William and Mary

The College of William and Mary is a small public university [i] located in Williamsburg, Virginia [i], ... 

 in Williamsburg at the age of 16, and studied there from 1760 to 1762. He then entered philosophy school and studied mathematics Mathematics

Mathematics is the discipline that deals with concepts such as quantity [i], structure [i], space [i] a ... 

, metaphysics Metaphysics

[i] concerned with explaining the nature of the [[World_|world]... 

, and philosophy Philosophy

[i]
... 

 under Professor William Small, who introduced the enthusiastic Jefferson to the writings of the British Empiricists Empiricism

[i] generally, empiricism is a [[epistemology|theory of knowledge]... 

, including John Locke John Locke

John Locke was an influential English [i] philosopher [i].... 

, Francis Bacon Francis Bacon

Francis Bacon, 1st Viscount St Alban, KC [i] was an English [i] philosopher [i], ... 

, and Sir Isaac Newton Isaac Newton

[i] [[[Old Style and New Style dates|OS]] [i]: [[25 December]] [i] [[1642]] [i]... 

 . He also perfected his French, carried his Greek grammar book wherever he went, practiced the violin Violin

The violin is a bowed [i] string instrument [i] with four string [i]s tuned in perfect fifth [i] ... 

, and favored Tacitus Tacitus

Publius Cornelius Tacitus is one of the important historian [i]s of Roman Antiquity [i]. ... 

 and Homer Homer

Homer was a legendary early Greek [i] poet [i] and rhapsode [i] traditionally credited ... 

. A keen and diligent student, Jefferson displayed an avid curiosity in all fields and, according to family tradition, frequently studied fifteen hours a day. His closest college friend, John Page of Rosewell, reported that Jefferson "could tear himself away from his dearest friends, to fly to his studies."

In college, Jefferson was a member of the secret Flat Hat Club, now the namesake of the William & Mary daily student newspaper. He lodged and boarded at the College in the building known today as the Sir Christopher Wren Building, attending communal meals in the Great Hall and morning and evening prayers in the Chapel. After graduating in 1762 with highest honors, he studied law with his friend and mentor, George Wythe George Wythe

George Wythe, was a lawyer, a judge, a prominent law professor and a signer of the United States [i] Declaration of Independence [i] ... 

, and was admitted to the Virginia bar in 1767.

In 1772, Jefferson married a widow, Martha Wayles Skelton . They had six children: Martha Jefferson Randolph Martha Jefferson Randolph

Martha Washington Jefferson Randolph , was the daughter of Thomas Jefferson [i], the third President of the United States [i] ... 

 , Jane Randolph , a stillborn or unnamed son , Mary Wayles , Lucy Elizabeth , and Lucy Elizabeth . Martha Wayles Skelton died on September 6, 1782, and Jefferson never remarried.

Political career from 1774 to 1800


Jefferson practiced law and served in the Virginia House of Burgesses House of Burgesses

The House of Burgesses was the lower house [i] of the Colony of Virginia [i]. ... 

. In 1774, he wrote , which was intended as instructions for the Virginia delegates to a national congress. The pamphlet was a powerful argument of American terms for a settlement with Britain. It helped speed the way to independence, and marked Jefferson as one of the most thoughtful patriot spokesmen.

Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence United States Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence is the document in which the Thirteen Colonies [i] in North America [i] ... 

 and a contributor to American political and civil culture. The Continental Congress delegated the task of writing the Declaration to a Committee of Five Committee of Five

The Committee of Five was the group delegated by the Second Continental Congress [i] on June 11, 1776 to ... 

 that unanimously solicited Jefferson to prepare the draft of the Declaration alone.

In September 1776, Jefferson returned to Virginia and was elected to the new Virginia House of Delegates. During his term in the House, Jefferson set out to reform and update Virginia's system of laws to reflect its new status as a democratic state. He drafted 126 bills in three years, including laws to abolish primogeniture, establish freedom of religion Freedom of religion

Freedom of religion and belief is considered by many to be a fundamental human right [i]. ... 

, and streamline the judicial system. In 1778, Jefferson's "Bill for the More General Diffusion of Knowledge" led to several academic reforms at his alma mater, including an elective system of study — the first in an American university.



Jefferson served as governor of Virginia Governor of Virginia

The Governor [i] of Virginia serves as the chief executive of the Commonwealth of Virginia [i] ... 

 from 1779-1781. As governor, he oversaw the transfer of the state capitol from Williamsburg to Richmond Richmond, Virginia

Richmond is the capital [i] of the Commonwealth [i] of Virginia [i], in the United States of America [i] ... 

 in 1780. He continued to advocate educational reforms at the College of William and Mary College of William and Mary

The College of William and Mary is a small public university [i] located in Williamsburg, Virginia [i], ... 

, including the nation's first student-policed honor code. In 1779, at Jefferson's behest, William and Mary appointed George Wythe George Wythe

George Wythe, was a lawyer, a judge, a prominent law professor and a signer of the United States [i] Declaration of Independence [i] ... 

 to be the first professor of law in an American university. Dissatisfied with the rate of changes he wanted to push through, he would go on later in life to become the "father" Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson was the third President of the United States [i] , principal author of the Declaration of Independence [i] ... 

 and founder of the University of Virginia University of Virginia

The University of Virginia is a public research university [i] in Charlottesville, Virginia [i], establ ... 

, which was the first university at which higher education was completely separate from religious doctrine.

Virginia was invaded twice by the British during Jefferson's term as governor. He, along with Patrick Henry Patrick Henry

Patrick Henry was a prominent figure in the American Revolution [i], known and remembered primarily for ... 

 and other Virginia Patriot leaders, were but ten minutes away from being captured by Banastre Tarleton Banastre Tarleton

General Sir Banastre Tarleton, 1st Baronet, GCB [i] was a British [i] s ... 

, a British colonel leading a cavalry Cavalry

Soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback are commonly known as cavalry .... 

 column that was raiding Charlottesville Charlottesville, Virginia

official_name = Charlottesville, Virginia
... 

 in June 1781. However, thanks to the efforts of Jack Jouett Jack Jouett

John "Jack" Jouett, Jr. a politician and a hero of the American Revolution [i], known as the "Paul Revere [i] ... 

, Jefferson and the others were warned in time to escape. Public outrage nearly ruined his future political prospects but waned after the siege of Yorktown Siege of Yorktown

Headline text

The Siege of Yorktown was a victory by a combined American [i] and French [i] ... 

.

From 1785–1789, Jefferson served as minister to France France

France, officially the French Republic, is a country [i] whose metropolitan territory [i] ... 

. He did not attend the Constitutional Convention Philadelphia Convention

The Philadelphia Convention took place from May 25 to September 17, 1787, to address problems in The United States of America [i] ... 

. He did generally support the new Constitution, although he thought the document flawed for lack of a Bill of Rights.

After returning from France, Jefferson served as the first Secretary of State United States Secretary of State

The United States Secretary of State is the head of the United States Department of State [i], concerned ... 

 under George Washington George Washington

George Washington commanded the American colonies' [i] Continental Army [i] during th ... 

 . Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton Alexander Hamilton

Alexander Hamilton was an American politician [i], leading statesman, fin ... 

 began sparring over national fiscal policy, specifically deficit spending in 1790. In further sparring with the Federalists, Jefferson came to equate Hamilton and the rest of the extreme Federalists with Tories. In the late 1790s, he worried that "Hamiltonianism" was taking hold. He equated this with "Royalism", and made a point to state that "Hamiltonians were panting after...and itching for crowns, coronets and mitres". Jefferson and James Madison James Madison

James Madison was the fourth President of the United States [i].... 

 founded and led the original Democratic-Republican Party . He worked with Madison and his campaign manager John J. Beckley to build what historians call the First Party System First Party System

The First Party System is the term political scientists and historians give to the political system exis... 

. Jefferson strongly supported France against Britain when war broke out between those nations in 1793. However, the Jay Treaty Jay Treaty

The Jay Treaty of 1794, was a treaty between the United States [i] and Great Britain [i] ... 

 proved that Washington and Hamilton favored Britain, so Jefferson retired to Monticello. He was later elected Vice President Vice President of the United States

The Vice President of the United States is the second-highest executive official of the United States government [i] ... 

 .


With a quasi-War Quasi-War

The Quasi-War was an undeclared war [i] fought entirely at sea between the United States [i] and France [i] ... 

 with France underway , the Federalists under John Adams John Adams

John Adams was a Founding Father [i] of the United States and American politician [i]... 

 started a navy, built up the army, levied new taxes, readied for war and enacted the Alien and Sedition Acts in 1798. Jefferson interpreted the Alien and Sedition Acts as an attack on his party more than on dangerous enemy aliens. He and Madison rallied support by anonymously writing the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions were important political statements in favor of states rights [i] ... 

 which declared that the federal government had no right to exercise powers not specifically delegated to it by the states. Should the federal government assume such powers, its acts under them could be voided by a state. The Resolutions' importance lies in being the first statements of the states' rights theory that led to the later concepts of nullification and interposition.

Working closely with Aaron Burr Aaron Burr

Aaron Burr, Jr. was an American [i] politician [i] and adventurer [i]. ... 

 of New York, Jefferson rallied his party, attacking the new taxes especially, and ran for the Presidency United States presidential election, 1800

The United States presidential election of 1800, sometimes referred to as the Revolution of 1800, was a ... 

 in 1800. Consistent with the traditions of the times, he did not formally campaign for the position. Prior to the passage of the 12th Amendment, a problem with the new union's electoral system arose. He tied with Burr for first place in the Electoral College Electoral college

An electoral college is a set of elector [i]s who are empowered as a deliberative body [i] to elect some ... 

, leaving the House of Representatives United States House of Representatives

The United States House of Representatives is one of the two chambers [i] of the United States Congress [i] ... 

  to decide the election.

After lengthy debate within the Federalist-controlled House, Hamilton convinced his party that Jefferson would be a lesser political evil than Burr and that such scandal within the electoral process would undermine the still-young regime. The issue was resolved by the House, on February 17, 1801 after thirty-six ballots, when Jefferson was elected President and Burr Vice President. Burr's refusal to remove himself from consideration would create a divide between Jefferson and Burr and lead to Jefferson replacing Burr as Vice President in Jefferson's second term.

Presidency 1801-1809


Policies

Jefferson's Presidency, from 1801 to 1809, was the first to start and end in the White House White House

The White House is the official home and principal workplace of the President of the United States of America [i] ... 

 ; it was also the first Democratic-Republican Democratic-Republican Party (United States)

The Democratic-Republican Party, was one of the two major political parties [i] in the First Party System [i] ... 

 Presidency. Jefferson is the only Vice President to later win an election and serve two full terms as President of the United States.

Jefferson's term was marked by his belief in agrarianism, individual liberty Liberty

Liberty is generally considered a concept [i] of political philosophy [i] and identifies the condition i ... 

, and limited government, sparking the development of a distinct American identity defined by republicanism.

Despite his stated goals of limited government, Jefferson made the Louisiana Purchase Louisiana Purchase

The Louisiana Purchase was the acquisition by the United States [i] of more than 530,000,000 acres of ... 

 and commissioned the Lewis and Clark Expedition Lewis and Clark Expedition

The Lewis and Clark expedition was the first United States [i] overland expedition to the Pacific [i] ... 

 during his first term. Jefferson was re-elected in the 1804 election United States presidential election, 1804

The United States presidential election of 1804 pitted incumbent Republican [i] ... 

. His second term was dominated by foreign policy concerns, as American neutrality was imperiled by war between Britain and France. A group called the tertium quids criticized Jefferson for his abandonment of his early principles.

Throughout his two terms, Jefferson did not once use his power of veto.

Events during his Presidency

  • First Barbary War First Barbary War

    The First Barbary War was one of two wars [i] fought between the United States of America [i] ... 

  • Louisiana Purchase Louisiana Purchase

    The Louisiana Purchase was the acquisition by the United States [i] of more than 530,000,000 acres of ... 

  • Marbury v. Madison Marbury v. Madison

    Marbury v. Madison, 5 U.S. 137 [i] , is a landmark case [i] in United States [i] law [i] ... 

  • Creation of the Orleans Territory
  • The Burr Conspiracy
  • Land Act of 1804
  • Twelfth Amendment to the United States Constitution Twelfth Amendment to the United States Constitution

    The Twelfth Amendment to the United States Constitution [i] altered Article II [i]... 

     is ratified
  • Lewis and Clark expedition Lewis and Clark Expedition

    The Lewis and Clark expedition was the first United States [i] overland expedition to the Pacific [i] ... 

  • Creation of the Louisiana Territory Louisiana Territory

    Louisiana Territory was a historic, organized territory [i] of the United States [i] from July 4 [i], 1805 [i] ... 

  • Tertium quids create a divide in the Democratic-Republican Party
  • Embargo Act of 1807 Embargo Act of 1807

    The Embargo Act of 1807 was an American [i] law prohibiting all export of cargo from Ameri ... 

    , an attempt to force respect for U.S. neutrality Neutral country

    A neutral country takes no side in a war [i] between other parties, and in return hopes to avoid being a ... 

     by ending trade with the belligerents in the Napoleonic War Napoleonic Wars

    The Napoleonic Wars, a series of global [i] conflicts [i] fought during Napoleon Bonaparte [i]... 

  • Outlawing of the external slave trade Atlantic slave trade

    The Atlantic slave trade was the purchase of people in and transport from West Africa [i] and Central Africa [i] ... 

     
  • Reducing the national debt by half.



Speeches


Inaugural Addresses


State of the Union Address State of the Union Address

The State of the Union Address is an annual event in which the President [i] ... 




Administration and Cabinet


OFFICENAMETERM
President President of the United States

The President of the United States of America is the head of state [i] of the United States [i]. ... 

Thomas Jefferson1801–1809
Vice President Vice President of the United States

The Vice President of the United States is the second-highest executive official of the United States government [i] ... 

Aaron Burr Aaron Burr

Aaron Burr, Jr. was an American [i] politician [i] and adventurer [i]. ... 

1801–1805
 George Clinton1805–1809
Secretary of State United States Secretary of State

The United States Secretary of State is the head of the United States Department of State [i], concerned ... 

James Madison James Madison

James Madison was the fourth President of the United States [i].... 

1801–1809
Secretary of the Treasury United States Secretary of the Treasury

The United States Secretary of the Treasury is the head of the United States Department of the Treasury [i] ... 

Samuel Dexter Samuel Dexter

[i]
... 

1801
 Albert Gallatin Albert Gallatin

Abraham Alfonse Albert Gallatin was a Swiss-American ethnologist [i], linguist [i], politician [i] ... 

1801–1809
Secretary of WarHenry Dearborn Henry Dearborn

Henry Dearborn was an American physician, statesman and veteran of both the American Revolutionary War [i] ... 

1801–1809
Attorney General United States Attorney General

The United States Attorney General is the head of the United States Department of Justice [i] concerned ... 

Levi Lincoln1801–1804
 Robert Smith1805
 John Breckinridge1805–1806
 Caesar A. Rodney Caesar A. Rodney

Caesar Augustus Rodney was an American [i] lawyer [i] and politician [i] from Wilmington [i] ... 

1807–1809
Postmaster GeneralJoseph Habersham Joseph Habersham

Joseph Habersham was an American [i] businessman, Continental Congress [i]man, soldier in ... 

1801
 Gideon Granger Gideon Granger

Gideon Granger was an American [i] political leader.
... 

1801–1809
Secretary of the Navy United States Secretary of the Navy

In the United States [i], the Secretary of the Navy is the civil [i]ian head of the Department of the Navy [i]... 

Benjamin Stoddert Benjamin Stoddert

Benjamin Stoddert was the first United States Secretary of the Navy [i] from May 1 [i], 1798 [i] to March 31 [i] ... 

1801
 Robert Smith1801–1810



Supreme Court appointments

Jefferson appointed the following Justices to the Supreme Court of the United States Supreme Court of the United States

The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest judicial body [i] in the United States [i] ... 

:

  • William Johnson – 1804
  • Henry Brockholst Livingston Henry Brockholst Livingston

    Henry Brockholst Livingston was an American [i] jurist and a native of New York City [i] ... 

    – 1807
  • Thomas Todd Thomas Todd

    Thomas Todd was an American [i] attorney [i] and U.S. Supreme Court [i] ... 

    – 1807

States admitted to the Union

  • Ohio Ohio

    Ohio is a Midwestern [i] state [i] of the United States [i].... 

    – 1803

Father of a University


After leaving the Presidency, Jefferson continued to be active in public affairs. He also became increasingly obsessed with founding a new institution of higher learning, specifically one free of church influences where students could specialize in many new areas University of Virginia

The University of Virginia is a public research university [i] in Charlottesville, Virginia [i], establ ... 

 not offered at other universities. A letter to Joseph Priestley Joseph Priestley

Joseph Priestley was an English [i] chemist [i], philosopher [i], dissenting [i] ... 

, in January 1800, indicated that he had been planning the university for decades before its establishment.

His dream was realized in 1819, with the founding of the University of Virginia University of Virginia

The University of Virginia is a public research university [i] in Charlottesville, Virginia [i], establ ... 

. Upon its opening in 1825, it was then the first university to offer a full slate of elective courses to its students. One of the largest construction projects to that time in North America, it was notable for being centered about a library rather than a church. In fact, no campus chapel was included in his original plans. Until his death, he invited university students and faculty of the school to his home; Edgar Allan Poe Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe was an American [i] poet [i], short story [i]... 

 was among them.

The university was designed as the capstone of the educational system of Virginia. In his vision, any citizen of the state could attend school with the sole criterion being ability.

Jefferson's death



Jefferson died on the Fourth of July, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, the same day as John Adams John Adams

John Adams was a Founding Father [i] of the United States and American politician [i]... 

' death. Thomas Jefferson was deep in debt when he died. His possessions were sold at an auction on Monticello. In 1831, Jefferson's 552 acres were sold for $7,000 to James T. Barclay. In 1836, Barclay sold the estate and 218 acres of land to United States Navy United States Navy

The United States Navy is the branch of the United States armed forces [i] responsible for conducting naval [i] ... 

 Lieutenant Uriah P. Levy for $2,700. Levy then bought the surrounding land and started to purchase original furnishings. Lieutenant Levy is called "the Savior of Monticello" because of this. Levy died in 1862 as a result of the Civil War. In his will, he left the Monticello to the United States to be used as a school for orphans of navy officers. Thomas Jefferson is buried on his Monticello Monticello

Monticello, located near Charlottesville [i], Virginia [i], was the estate of ... 

 estate, in Charlottesville, Virginia. His epitaph, written by him with an insistence that only his words and "not a word more" be inscribed, reads:

HERE WAS BURIED THOMAS JEFFERSON
AUTHOR OF THE DECLARATION OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE
OF THE STATUTE OF VIRGINIA FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
AND FATHER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA


Appearance and temperament

Jefferson was six feet, two-and-one-half inches in height, slender, erect and sinewy. He had angular features, a very ruddy complexion, strawberry blond hair and hazel-flecked, grey eyes. In later years, he was negligent in dress and loose in bearing. He was a poor public speaker who mumbled through his most important addresses. There was grace, nevertheless, in his manners; and his frank and earnest address, his quick sympathy , and his vivacious, desultory, informing talk gave him an engaging charm. He was a man of intense convictions and an emotional temperament.

"The Sage of Monticello" also cultivated an image that earned him the other nickname, "Man of the People". He affected a popular air by greeting White House guests in homespun attire like a robe and slippers. Dolley Madison Dolley Madison

Dorothea "Dolley" Payne Todd Madison, wife of President [i] James Madison [i] ... 

, wife of James Madison , and Jefferson's daughters relaxed White House protocol and turned formal state dinners into more casual and entertaining social events. Although a foremost defender of a free press, Jefferson at times sparred with partisan newspapers and appealed to the people.

Though it is a biographical tradition that he lacked wit, Don Quixote Don Quixote

or is a novel [i] by the Spanish [i] author Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra [i]. ... 

and the works of Molière Molière

Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, better known as Molire , was a French [i] theatre [i] writer, director [i] ... 

 seem to have been his favorites. His writings were utilitarian, but evidenced great intellect, and he had an affinity for languages. He learned Gaelic Scottish Gaelic language

Scottish Gaelic is a member of the Goidelic [i] branch of Celtic languages [i]. ... 

 in order to translate Ossian Ossian

Ossian is the narrator, and supposed author, of a cycle of poems which the Scottish poet James Macpherson [i] ... 

, and sent to James Macpherson for the originals.

As President, he discontinued the practice of delivering the State of the Union Address State of the Union Address

The State of the Union Address is an annual event in which the President [i] ... 

 in person, instead sending the address to Congress in writing ; he gave only two public speeches during his Presidency. He burned all of his letters between himself and his wife at her death, creating the portrait of a man who at times could be very private. Indeed, he preferred working in the privacy of his office than the public eye.

Interests and activities


Jefferson was an accomplished architect Architect

An architect is a person involved in the planning [i], designing [i] and oversight of a building's [i] ... 

 who was extremely influential in bringing the Neo-Palladian Palladian architecture

Palladian architecture is a Europe [i]an style of architecture [i] derived from the designs of the Italian [i] ... 

 style—popular among the Whig aristocracy of Britain—to the United States. The style was associated with Enlightenment ideas of republic Republic

In a broad definition, a republic is a state [i] or country [i] that is led by people whose political power [i] ... 

an civic virtue and political liberty. Jefferson designed his famous home, Monticello Monticello

Monticello, located near Charlottesville [i], Virginia [i], was the estate of ... 

, near Charlottesville, Virginia Charlottesville, Virginia

official_name = Charlottesville, Virginia
... 

; it included automatic doors, the first swivel chair Swivel chair

The swivel chair is a basic chair that turns at a 360 degree angle to spin around to reach for something... 

, and other convenient devices invented by Jefferson. Nearby is the only university ever to have been founded by a U.S. president, the University of Virginia University of Virginia

The University of Virginia is a public research university [i] in Charlottesville, Virginia [i], establ ... 

, of which the original curriculum and architecture Jefferson designed. Today, Monticello and the University of Virginia are together one of only four m