Thomas Jefferson

Posted October 4, 2007, 3:37 pm by Growing Bolder


Thomas Jefferson
Born: April 13, 1743 Died: July 4, 1826

Most famous as the author the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson voiced the aspirations of a new America as no other individual of his era. In his life, he was a political philosopher, architect, historian, musician, book collector, scientist, horticulturist, diplomat, inventor, Secretary of State under George Washington, Vice President under John Adams, President of the United States, Governor of Virginia, U.S. Minister to France and founder of the University of Virginia.

After the Age of Sixty
Between the ages of 58 and 64, he was the third President of the United States.

Jefferson negotiated the Louisiana Purchase that doubled the size of the United States.

In 1815, at age 72, Jefferson sold his personal library to Congress in order to rebuild the collection of the Congressional Library, which had been destroyed by fire in 1814.

Jefferson spoke Latin, Greek, French, Spanish, Italian and Anglo-Saxon, and at age 71, he read Plato's Republic in Greek.

At age 76, Jefferson embarked on his last great public service with the founding of the University of Virginia. He spearheaded the legislative campaign for its charter, secured its location, designed its buildings, planned its curriculum and served as the first rector.

He died on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.



© 2007-2008. The Growing Bolder Media Group. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.