Thomas Jefferson Essay, Research Paper

When i say Thomas Jefferson, many people think of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. Thomas Jefferson was born in 1743 and died in 1826. He was the third president of the United States. Jefferson’s fathers name was Peter Jefferson and he was a prosperous Virginia planter. His mother, Jane Randolph Jefferson, was a member of the old Randolph family of Virginia.

Jeffersons interests are boundless. His accomplishments were great and varied. He was a philosopher, educator, naturalists, politician, scientist, architecht, inventor, pioneer in scientific farming, musician, writer, and a spokesman for democracy of his day. Jefferson was the first president to lead a political party.

Thomas Jefferson took his seat in congress on June 21, 1775. John Rutledge of South Carolina was appointed to write a statement explaining the colonists reasons for making war on Britain. His paper was not approved, Jefferson was then asked to write a new paper. John Dickenson of Pennsylvania rewrote Jeffersons paper, and congress approved it on July 6, 1775. On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted. The “bands” that had connected America with Great Britain were broken. The colonies were accepting the Declaration with great rejoicing.

Later on, James Madison sent Jefferson a copy of the proposed Constitution. Jefferson wrote, “a bil of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth.” Madison proposed a bill of rights, consisting of the first 10 amendments, which was added to the Constitution in 1791.

Jefferson toured much of Europe and longed to return to the United States. When he returned, president Washington asked him to become secretary of the state. Jefferson was anxious to return to his private life, but accepted at the president’s urging.

The republicans nominated Jefferson for president in 1800. The federalists campaigned against Jefferson. The republicans won a close victory, and Jefferson won the election.

At the age of 65, Jefferson was finally free to return to his beloved estate in Virginia. He devoted his time to repairing and rebuilding his estate, but he still managed to find time to design houses for his friends. His leisure time was spent reading. He continued his study of philosophy, religion and law.

Jefferson and his friend Adams, died on Independence Day, July 4, 1826. Jefferson left a detailed inscription that was to go on the stone monument where he was buried. His wish was carried out, but vandals later on overturned the stone and broke it. A reproduction now marks the very spot where Jefferson lies in peace.

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