Thomas Jefferson was born April 13, 1743 at Shadwell, Virginia, the son of Peter and Jane (Randolph) Jefferson. He studied for two years at William and Mary College (now University) in Williamsburg, Virginia. He read law from 1762 to 1767 with George Wythe and was admitted to the bar in 1767. He was a practicing lawyer until 1774.
He served in the House of Burgesses from 1769 to 1774. He was elected to the Continental Congress in 1775 and in 1776 was chosen to write the Declaration of Independence.
He then served in the Virginia legislature, and was elected governor of Virginia from 1779 to 1781. During his term he wrote and passed the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom.
From 1781 to 1783 he wrote Notes on the State of Virginia, published in 1785.
He served again in the Continental Congress from 1783 to 1784, and helped to establish the decimal system for United States coinage. Jefferson went to France in 1784 serving as commissioner to negotiate commercial treaties, and later serving as Benjamin Franklin’s successor as minister until 1789.
He became Secretary of State under George Washington from 1790 to 1793.
Thomas Jefferson was elected the third president of the United States of America, serving from 1801 to 1809. It was significant that his taking office was accomplished peacefully and according to the Constitution, as it was the first change from one political group (Federalists) to another (Republicans).
During his term as President he accomplished the purchase of the Louisiana Territory in 1803 which extended the boundaries of the United States of America without war. He also supported the Lewis and Clark expedition which explored and mapped the new territory.
Thomas Jefferson helped to found the Library of Congress by selling his extensive book collection to the United States government.
Thomas Jefferson founded the University of Virginia, located in Charlottesville, Virginia. He designed the campus and buildings and served as its first rector.
Thomas Jefferson also built Monticello, in Virginia, and spent much of his life making improvements and innovations to his home. This estate has been restored and is open to the public for tours.
He married a widow, Martha Wayles Skelton on January 1, 1772. They had six children, only two daughters, Martha and Maria, surviving to adulthood. Thomas Jefferson died, age 83, on July 4, 1826 at Monticello, Virginia.
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