Sponsored Links:
Thomas Jefferson Life Story
Thomas Jefferson was the third president of the United States. He was also one the authors of the Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom. In addition, he was a horticulturist, architect, inventor, historian, philosopher and plantation owner. |
Jefferson's father, Peter Jefferson, was a planter and surveyor. His mother, Jane Randolp, was from a highly distinguished family from Virginia. Jefferson inherited a lot of land from his father, and it was then he began building his home Monticello. At that time, he was 26 years old. Three years later, he married Martha Wayles Skelton, and they stayed married for 10 years until her death.
Jefferson also inherited slaves from his father and father-in-law. It is estimated that he owned around 200 slaves. Nearly 80 slaves lived and worked in Monticello, while the others lived in adjacent plantations and in his estate in Bedford County, Virginia. During his lifetime, he freed two slaves, gave freedom to 5 through his will, and did not go after 2 slaves who had run away.
Jefferson finished his education from College of William and Mary. Thereafter, he practiced law and became a magistrate for the local government. He was also a member of the House of Burgesses. In 1776, he was selected to write the Declaration of Independence when he was the member of the Continental Congress.
In 1776, Jefferson left the Congress to return to Virginia. In 1779, he became the governor of Virginia and continued in this position until 1781. Then he retired to live a private life. However, in 1784, he first became a trade commissioner and then a minister taking over from Benjamin Franklin. This position was in France where he studied the European culture, and sent back many books, seeds, plants, architectural drawing, scientific instruments and statues to his home.
In 1790, he became the Secretary of State under George Washington. And, in 1796, he was nominated the presidential candidate for the Democratic-Republican Party. However, he lost the elections and ended up becoming the vice president under John Adams.
In the next presidential election, he defeated Adams and became the president. During his first tenure, Louisiana Territory was purchased in 1803 and he supported the expedition of Lewis and Clarke. He then got elected for another term where he faced problems both at home front and abroad. However, he preferred to be neutral in the conflict that occurred between Britain and France.
After the expiration of his second term as president, Jefferson returned to Monticello. He was also in severe debt, and the only thing that was keeping the creditors at bay was his name and claim to fame.
On July 4, 1826, on the fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson died. He was 88 years old.
More Articles :
|
