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U.S. Presidents: Thomas Jefferson

This guide will give you information about the Presidents of the United States.

Thomas Jefferson

(1743-1826)

Thomas Jefferson

Profile

Occupation

U.S. Governor

Government Official

U.S. President (March 4, 1801 - March 4, 1809)

U.S. Vice President

Diplomat

Date of Birth April 13, 1743
Date of Death July 4, 1826
Place of Birth Shadwell, VA
Place of Death Monticello, VA
Education College of William and Mary (BA)
Parents

Jane Randolph

Peter Jefferson

Spouse Martha Wayles
Political Party

Democratic-Republican

Number of Children

Martha Wayles - Six

Sally Hemings - Five (allegedly)

Did You Know?

President Jefferson...

  • ...sold his 6,700 volume personal library to Congress for $23,950 in 1815 to replace books lost when the British burned the United States Capital, which housed the Library of Congress, during the War of 1812. Jefferson's books formed the foundation of the rebuilt Library of Congress's collection.
  • ...was addicted to learning.
  • ...fought pirates.

Biography

Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743, in Shadwell, Virginia. He was a draftsman of the U.S. Declaration of Independence; the nation's first secretary of state (1789-94); second vice president (1797-1801); and, as the third president (1801-09), the statesman responsible for the Louisiana Purchase. Jefferson died in bed at Monticello (located near Charlottesville, Virginia) on July 4, 1826.

Quotes

 “We have the wolf by the ears, and we can neither hold him nor safely let him go. Justice is in one scale, and self-preservation in the other.”

Books Located in the Library