Thomas Jefferson | Biography, Presidency, and Legacy

Thomas Jefferson was the third President of the United States and one of the most important leaders in American history. He is best known as the main writer of the Declaration of Independence and a strong supporter of freedom and democracy. Jefferson was also a smart thinker, an inventor, and the founder of the University of Virginia.

In this blog, we will look at his early life, his time as president, and the lasting impact he left on the United States and the world.

Early Life and Education of Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743, in Virginia, in a place called Shadwell. He came from a big family and was the third of ten children. His father, Peter Jefferson, was a farmer and surveyor, and his mother, Jane Randolph, came from a well-known family.

Here are the following descriptions of the early life and education of Thomas Jefferson:

Early Life of Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743, in Virginia.
His family has a lot of money and owns a big farm called Shadwell.
He had 9 brothers and sisters.
When he was a child, he liked to read, play the violin, and walk in nature.

Education of Thomas Jefferson

After college, he learned more to become a lawyer.
When Thomas Jefferson was 9 years old, he started school.
He learned Latin, Greek, and French.
At 16 years old, he went to college at the College of William & Mary.
There, he studied math, science, law, and philosophy (big ideas about life and thinking).
He was very smart and worked very hard.

Presidency of Thomas Jefferson (1801–1809)

Thomas Jefferson became the 3rd President of the United States in 1801.
He was President for 8 years (two terms), from 1801 to 1809.
He wanted a simple government and believed the people should have more power.
He tried to keep the U.S. out of wars in Europe, so he passed the Embargo Act in 1807.
This law stopped trade with other countries, but it hurt American businesses.
After his time as President, he went back to his home at Monticello in Virginia.
In 1803, he made the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the size of the United States.
He sent Lewis and Clark to explore the new land and find a way to the Pacific Ocean.

If you’re curious about all the Presidents of the United States, you can check out this easy-to-read list: List of Presidents of the United States.

Post-Presidency of Thomas Jefferson (1809–1826)

After he stopped being President in 1809, Thomas Jefferson went back to his home called Monticello in Virginia.
He spent time reading, writing letters, and taking care of his farm.
He stayed interested in politics but did not take any more government jobs.
In 1819, he helped start the University of Virginia.
He helped design the buildings and plan what students would learn.
He was very proud of this school.
He died on July 4, 1826, exactly 50 years after the Declaration of Independence was signed.
On the same day, his friend and former President John Adams also died.

Legacy of Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson is remembered as one of America’s most important leaders.
He wrote most of the Declaration of Independence, which said that all people have the right to be free.
As President, he made the United States much bigger with the Louisiana Purchase.
He helped start the University of Virginia, a school still open today.
He believed in freedom, education, and small government.

But there are also problems with his legacy:

He owned hundreds of enslaved people, even though he wrote that “all men are created equal.”
He had a relationship with Sally Hemings, an enslaved woman at Monticello, and had children with her.
People still talk about the good and bad parts of his life and ideas.