Biography
President Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the 3rd President of the United States. Served as President: 1801­1809
Vice President: Aaron Burr, George Clinton Party: Democratic­Republican Age at inauguration: 57 Born: April 13, 1743 in Albemarle County, Virginia Died: July 4, 1826 in Monticello in Virginia Married: Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson Children: Martha and Mary
Nickname: Father of the Declaration of Independence Biography: Thomas Jefferson by Rembrandt Peele
What is Thomas Jefferson most known for? Thomas Jefferson is known as a Founding Father of the United States. He is most famous for writing
the Declaration of Independence. Growing Up Thomas grew up in the English Colony of Virginia. His parents, Peter and Jane, were wealthy
landowners. Thomas enjoyed reading, exploring nature, and playing the violin. When he was just 11
years old his father died. He inherited his father's large estate and began to manage it at the age of
21. Thomas attended the college of William and Mary in Virginia. There he met his mentor, a law
professor by the name of George Wythe. He became interested in law and would later decide to
become a lawyer. Before He Became President Before he became president, Thomas Jefferson had a number of jobs: he was a lawyer who studied
and practiced law, he was a farmer and managed his vast estate, and he was a politician who served
as a member of Virginia's legislature. By the 1770s, the American colonies, including Jefferson's Virginia, began to feel they were being
unjustly treated by their British rulers. Thomas Jefferson became a leader in the fight for
independence and represented Virginia at the Continental Congress. Declaration of Independence by John Trumbull
Writing the Declaration of Independence During the Second Continental Congress, Jefferson was tasked, together with John Adams and
Benjamin Franklin, to write a Declaration of Independence. This document was to state that the
colonies considered themselves free from British rule and were willing to fight for that freedom.
Jefferson was the primary author of the document and wrote the first draft. After incorporating a few
changes from the other members of the committee, they presented it to the congress. This document
is one of the most treasured documents in the history of the United States. During and After the Revolutionary War Jefferson held a number of political positions during and after the war including U.S. Minister to
France, Governor of Virginia, the first Secretary of State under George Washington, and Vice
President under John Adams. Thomas Jefferson's Presidency Jefferson became the third President of the United States on March 4, 1801. One of the first things he
did was try to reduce the federal budget, moving power back into the hands of the states. He also
lowered taxes, which made him popular to many people. Some of his main accomplishments as president include:
The Louisiana Purchase ­ He bought a large section of land to the west of the original 13
colonies from Napoleon of France. Although much of this land was unsettled, it was so large it
nearly doubled the size of the United States. He also made a really good deal buying all this
land for only 15 million dollars.
Lewis and Clark Expedition ­ Once he had bought the Louisiana Purchase, Jefferson needed to
map the area and find out what was west of the country's land. He appointed Lewis and Clark to
explore the western territory and report back on what was there.
Battling Pirates ­ He sent American Navy ships to battle pirate ships on the coast of North Africa.
These pirates had been attacking American merchant vessels, and Jefferson was determined to
put a stop to it. This caused a minor war called the First Barbary War.
Jefferson also served a second term as president. During his second term he mostly worked to keep
the United State out of the Napoleonic Wars in Europe. How did he die? Jefferson became sick in 1825. His health grew worse, and he finally passed away on July 4, 1826. It
is an amazing fact that he died on the same day as his fellow founding father John Adams. Even more
amazing is that they both died on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Fun Facts about Thomas Jefferson
Jefferson was also an accomplished architect. He designed his
famous home at Monticello as well as buildings for the University
of Virginia.
He had nine brothers and sisters.
The White House was called the Presidential Mansion at the time
when he lived there. He kept things informal, often answering the
front door himself.
The U.S. Congress purchased Jefferson's book collection in order
to help him get out of debt. There were approximately 6000 books
which became the start of the Library of Congress.
He wrote his own epitaph for his tombstone. On it he listed what
he considered his major accomplishments. He did not include
becoming president of the United States.
Thomas Jefferson by Rembrandt Peale