Thomas Jefferson – A Founding Father That Made History
Thomas Jefferson is remembered as one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America. His life is studied in schools. He left behind a powerful legacy that still resonates today.
Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743, in what is now Albemarle County, Virginia. He was the third of eight children born to Peter and Jane Jefferson. Jefferson was intellectually advanced and read a plethora of books throughout his childhood. He attended the College of William and Mary, where he studied philosophy and law, and then studied to become a lawyer.
In 1769, Jefferson was elected to the House of Burgesses, representing Albemarle County. He served in the House of Burgesses for the next five years, during which he cosponsored a bill for religious freedom with George Mason.
The American Revolution started in 1775 and Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence in 1776. In this document, Jefferson set forth the ideals of the new nation, including the self-evident truths that all men were created equal and were endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Declaration of Independence was signed by all of the Founding Fathers, and this document is still celebrated today as one of the greatest known documents of all time.
Jefferson served in various positions throughout the course of the Revolutionary War, and he was elected Governor of Virginia in 1779. He served in this position until 1781. After the war, he served in the Continental Congress and was then appointed as Minister to France in 1783. In this role, Jefferson successfully negotiated agreements with other countries and strongly advocated for trade between the UnitedStates andFrance.
In 1785, Jefferson earned the title of Minister to England and held this position until 1789 when he was appointed Secretary of State by George Washington. He served in this position until 1793, when he resigned. In this role, Jefferson advocated for France in private and worked to establish relationships with other countries.
Jefferson was then elected president in 1800 and served two terms until 1808. During his tenure as president, he passed the Louisiana Purchase, which significantly added to the territory of theUnited States. He also created the national bank, which helped to further grow and develop the economy of the new nation. Additionally, Jefferson founded the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia.
After leaving the presidency, Jefferson retired to his home in Monticello. His home was one of the most beautiful homes in America and was full of books, art and antiques from all around the world. At his home, Jefferson was an avid Reader, writer, and gardener. He wished to remain in contact with old friends and also to interact with officials from the federal government.
Jefferson passed away in 1826. His legacy lives on, and his words are still relevant today. He was an advocate for democracy and liberty and a passionate champion of the United States of America. He is remembered as one of the original Founding Fathers, and his life and works continue to be studied and admired.