Thomas Jefferson 3rd President
Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743 in Albemarle County, Virginia. Jefferson married Marth Wayles Skelton , together they had three children; Martha, Mary, Lucy Elizabeth. Jefferson was an incredible scholar who knew six languages, studied music, law, science, and philosophy, he was also a self taught architect. When Jefferson was 25, he was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses. Jefferson believed in religious freedom, public education, and pioneered neoclassical architecture.
Thomas Jefferson believed strongly in education. By believing in this he was a founder of the University of Virginia. He was so involved in this that he even hired teachers, planned curriculum, and designed the university buildings. Jefferson also believed in religious freedom, this inspired him to write his own interpretation of the New Testament to better understand the teachings of Jesus. In 1770, he petitioned for religious freedom, in 1786 his petition was finally accepted. Jefferson was an excellent writer, before the Declaration of Independence he wrote an essay titled "A Summary View of the Rights of British America". When the revolution started he joined the Continental Congress; then in 1776 he was asked to write the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson was also elected governor of Virginia and helped shape its state constitution. In 1784, Jefferson went with John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, together they traveled to Europe to negotiate peace treaties with the European powers. When they returned in 1789, he accepted Washington's offer as Secretary of State. Jefferson created a party called the Democratic- Republicans, which believed in limited powers over state or people. In 1801, Jefferson was elected president, also he had to send the navy to confront Barbary pirated in the Mediterranean Sea. In 1803, Jefferson makes the purchased the Louisiana territory from France from $15 million. In 1804, Jefferson was re-elected, his -running mate Aaron Burr killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel. Also in 1804, Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark out on their expedition to explore and chart the Louisiana Territory. In 1806, Burr goes to Louisiana to create a rebellion. In 1807, Burr is arrested and tried for treason, he was later found not-guilty. Also the U.S.S. Chesapeake was fired and boarded upon by the British ship Leopard. Jefferson avoids this conflict sticking to neutrality. Later that year Jefferson signs an embargo act banning all trade with Great Britain and Europe because of the Chesapeake incident. In 1808, Jefferson bans all slave imports from Africa. Jefferson dies on July 4, 1826, the 50 anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. He died on the same day as John Adams who stated when he died hours later without knowing of Jefferson's passing hours earlier "Jefferson lives". |