Thomas Jefferson, our third President was born in Shadwell, Virginia the son of a planter who died when Thomas Jefferson was fourteen. Thomas Jefferson attended the "College of William and Mary", studied law, and managed the plantation he had inherited.

In 1769 Thomas Jefferson was elected to the "Virginia House of Burgesses". In the following year, his house at Shadwell burned and he started building Monticello, a new home near Charlottesville. Thomas Jefferson married Martha Wayles Skelton in 1772, they had six children.

As a delegate to the "Second Continental Congress", Thomas Jefferson drafted the "Declaration of Independence". Thomas Jefferson was elected Governor of Virginia in 1779. While he was Governor, Thomas Jefferson wrote the statute on religious freedom, and in the "Continental Congress", he drew up the "Northwest Ordinance", which forbade slavery after 1800, but the proposal was defeated.

Thomas Jefferson served as minister to France, where he studied architecture and the "French Revolution", was President George Washington's "Secretary of State", and was "Vice President" under John Adams. Because of his beliefs in the equality of men he often clashed with Alexander Hamilton and John Adams, both of whom believed in government by the aristocracy. In 1793 Thomas Jefferson left George Washington's cabinet, feeling that he was of use to no one.

In 1800, Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr received the same number of votes for President, so with Alexander Hamilton's urging the "House of Representatives" elected Thomas Jefferson. During his two terms, Thomas Jefferson simplified diplomatic and political life in Washington, drove the Federalists out of office, and by fighting those who were afraid to give the people power, he made the country a true democracy.

When Spain gave Louisiana territory, which controlled the Mississippi River, to France, Thomas Jefferson bought the land from France then sent "Lewis and Clark" to explore the territory. "Lewis and Clark" traveled eight thousand miles before they got to Oregon and the Pacific Ocean, and returned with the report that the United States had acquired eight hundred twenty-seven thousand square miles of territory. In 1804, Thomas Jefferson sent an expedition to the Mediterranean and forced the "Pasha of Tripoli "to stop demanding tribute from American shipping.

Near the end of Thomas Jefferson's first term Aaron Burr, his Vice President, was accused by Alexander Hamilton of plotting to break up the Union. Aaron Burr challenged Alexander Hamilton to a duel and Alexander Hamilton was killed. Dueling was prohibited in Washington, D.C., therefore Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr arranged a gentlemen's agreement to travel to New Jersey.

After Thomas Jefferson retired to Monticello, he established the "University of Virginia", designed its buildings, chose its library, hired its teachers, and chose the courses to be taught. This was his proudest work. Thomas Jefferson died at Monticello like John Adams, on the fiftieth anniversary of the "Declaration of Independence" only a few hours apart.

Written by:
Karen Palumbo
Photography "NOT" by:
Robert Palumbo
1/8/2010 (c)