Thomas Jefferson (1743 – 1826)

1. Thomas Jefferson

1743 – 1826

2.

Born into wealthy VA family – father died when
Thomas was 14 – he became master of 5,000
acre plantation.
Studied 15 hours a day to be a lawyer.
Outspoken supporter of American rights in VA
House of Burgesses.
Chosen by Second Continental Congress to
help write “The Declaration of Independence.”
Served with John Adams (Mass.), Roger
Sherman (Conn.), Robert Livingstone (NY), and
Ben Franklin (PA). Jefferson wrote the final draft
in 17 days in a small room in Philadelphia.

3.

Disappointed when Congress took out
large portions of document – any that
criticized the English people and any that
made a statement against slavery.
Gov. of VA during Revolutionary War –
minister to France – Sec. of State under
Washington – Vice-president and then
third president from 1801-1809.
Founded and built University of VA.
Helped to create public school system and
the decimal system of money we use.
Designed and built his home, Monticello,
which included a dumb waiter.

4.

Added 82,000 square miles (13 states) to
the U.S. by buying back the land claimed
by de Lasalle. Now known as the
Louisiana Purchase.
His collection of over 10,000 books was
sold to Congress and became the basis
for the Library of Congress.
Wife Martha died in 1782. Jefferson
wanted to live long enough to celebrate
the 50th birthday of the Declaration.

5.

July 4, 1826 – John Adams (90 yrs. old)
and Jefferson (83 yrs. old) are gravely ill.
When Adams died in the early afternoon,
his last words were, “Thomas Jefferson
still survives.” Unfortunately, Jefferson
had passed away several hours earlier.
Jefferson is buried at Monticello.