A Man to be Admired

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Written by Gwyn
Tuesday, 22 April 2008

As a historical figure, Thomas Jefferson is widely respected and admired. He decided to do what was considered wrong, to do what he thought was right, to form our nation. "As our enemies have found we can reason like men, so now let us show them we can fight like men also." (Jefferson, http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/t/thomas_jefferson.html) A man of many occupations, Thomas Jefferson was a large factor in the shaping of the United States of America.

Thomas Jefferson was born in Shadwell, what is now Albermarle County, Virginia, as the third of eight children on April 13, 1743, according to present day calendars. It was April 2 by the calendar that was in use at that time. His parents were Jane and Peter Jefferson. When Thomas was fourteen, his father died, and, as the oldest son, he became the head of the family and inherited Shadwell along with thirty slaves and more than 2, 500 acres of land, but he left the managing of the estate up to his guardian John Harvie. Later in life, Jefferson married Martha Wyles Skelton, and they had six children, only two of whom lived to become adults- Martha Washington Jefferson, born 1772 and died 1836; Jane Randolph Jefferson, born 1774 and died 1775; a stillborn, unnamed infant son, born 1777; Mary Jefferson, born 1778 and died 1804; Lucy Elizabeth Jefferson, born 1780 and died 1781; and Lucy Elizabeth Jefferson, born 1782 and died 1784. Apparently the first Lucy Elizabeth died, and their next child was also named Lucy Elizabeth. When Jefferson's wife died he never remarried. (The World Book Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson, http://sc94.ameslab.gov/TOUR/tjefferson.html)

Thomas Jefferson's education was completed after he attended many schools. He began his education at age nine when he started learning from William Douglas, an old Scottish minister, at a local school. He began studying Latin, Greek, and French. When his father died Jefferson went to the school of Reverend James Maury, which was near Charlottesville. Then at age sixteen Thomas attended the College of William and Mary located in Williamsburg. Here he studied mathematics, metaphysics, and philosophy. Also, he continued French and Greek, working to perfect them. Two years later he graduated with highest honors. After graduating, Jefferson studied law. In 1767 Thomas was admitted into the bar association. He was a successful lawyer until it began taking all his time. Two years after receiving his license to practice law, Jefferson was elected into the Virginia House of Burgesses, becoming an outspoken defender of American rights. Although not a brilliant speaker, he was talented when it came to writing laws and resolutions. In 1776 Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence at the Second Continental Congress. There is one line in that document, which, of the ideas that became the United States, is at the heart of all the others. "But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security." (The Declaration of Independence as cited in Literature the American Experience page 134) This means that when something is wrong, those who have the ability to take action have the responsibility to take action. When Thomas returned to Virginia in September of 1776, he was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates. Then in 1778 Jefferson was elected governor of Virginia and served in that office until 1781. Three years later he was sent to France to join John Adams and Benjamin Franklin and then the next year succeeded Franklin as minister to France, in Paris, when Franklin resigned. In 1789 Thomas became the nation's first Secretary of State. Next, Jefferson became America's Vice President and then in 1801 he became the United States' third President. It was at this time that the Louisiana Purchase was made, nearly doubling the size of our nation. (The World Book Encyclopedia, Literature American Voices, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson, http://sc94.ameslab.gov/TOUR/tjefferson.html)

Thomas Jefferson wrote many things in his lifetime. Being very talented in law and government, these works were all laws and resolutions. He is best remembered for writing the original rough draft of the Declaration of Independence. Other works of his include "A Summary View of the Rights of British America", drafting the "Constitution for Virginia", drafting the "Kentucky Resolutions of 1798", and a manual of Parliamentary Practice. Jefferson had a talent for writing in clear and simple English, though all of his works are not written this way. None of his works were awarded anything, but they are a large part of the foundation of our government. Sadly, on the fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson died. (The World Book Encyclopedia, Literature American Voices, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson, http://sc94.ameslab.gov/TOUR/tjefferson.html, http://www.constitution.org/tj/tj-categ.htm)

Through many occupations, Thomas Jefferson succeeded in playing a large part in the shaping of our nation. "A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor and bread it has earned - this is the sum of good government." (Jefferson, http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/t/thomas_jefferson.html) Jefferson had many talents and accomplished much in his lifetime. He is a man to be admired.

Published in Non-Fiction

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Comments (4)

Posted by R.E.Potter
04-22-2008 12:42,

,,,
It appears you have submitted a homework assgnment. Although im no teacher,,, I'll give you an 'A' Hey,,wait a minute...was this copied out of an encyclopedia... that was my move in high school.

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