THOMAS JEFFERSON
Thomas Jefferson was born in Shadwell, Virginia on April 13, 1743. Jefferson does not have a story of a rough upbringing because he was born into one of the elite families in Virginia, Thomas was the third of ten children for the family. After a pretty standard childhood by wealthy standards of playing the violin and a high level of education, Thomas Jefferson decided to pursue further education at the college of William and Mary, where he eventually decided to study law under the guidance of lawyer George Wythe. While practicing law, and having much success doing so, he met Martha Wayles Skelton who was one of the wealthiest women in Virginia. The two were married in 1772, and had four children.
Jefferson was one of the most adamant supporters for the American Revolution during the beginning stages. His writing of “A Summary View of the Rights of British America” in 1774 established his reputation as a very eloquent writer and one of the essential members of the American Revolution. The penned political work even earned his invitation to the Second Continental Congress which would appoint fellow Virginian George Washington as the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. Because of his reputation as a writer, Jefferson was appointed to part of a five-man committee to draft the Declaration of Independence alongside other prominent members in history. These figures were John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston. The committee decided that Jefferson should write the Declaration of Independence, with Adams describing his talents as a “happy talent for composition and singular felicity of expression.”
The Declaration of Independence is probably the most defining written piece in American history. Jefferson’s words have echoed throughout the centuries since it was adopted on July 4th, 1776. Very few Americans do not recognize that date, nor do they forget the ever popular words “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
After writing the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution began. Jefferson went back to Virginia, where he would become the Governor in 1779, which was deemed the low point of Jefferson’s highly regarded career. After his time spent as Governor, Jefferson would go on to be Minister to France, where his friendship with both John and Abigail Adams would begin. He also served as Secretary of State and Vice President. During his tenure as Secretary of State, Jefferson developed a rivalry with Alexander Hamilton, which prompted the Federalists vs. Republicans debates of State against Federal power.
In 1800, Thomas Jefferson won the presidential election against Aaron Burr and he became the third president of the United States. He advocated for more states rights and less executive power. However, his most accomplished act of president was the Louisiana Purchase to which he directly contradicted his beliefs and acted almost entirely on his own. His lack of foreign affairs success keeps him a peg below the great president’s, but his achievements and brilliance give him a claim to be the best of all time.
Thomas Jefferson died on the 50th anniversary, July 4th, 1826, of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, only hours after his dear friend John Adams also passed.
Thomas Jefferson died on the 50th anniversary, July 4th, 1826, of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, only hours after his dear friend John Adams also passed.