Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), third president of the United States (1801-1809) and author of the Declaration of Independence. He was one of the most brilliant individuals in history. His interests were boundless, and his accomplishments were great and varied. He was a philosopher, educator, naturalist, politician, scientist, architect, inventor, pioneer in scientific farming, musician, and writer, and he was the foremost spokesman for democracy of his day.

As president, Jefferson strengthened the powers of the executive branch of government. He was the first president to lead a political party, and through it he exercised control over the Congress of the United States. He had great faith in popular rule, and it is this optimism that is the essence of what came to be called Jeffersonian democracy.

Jefferson swore his hostility, he said, to ÐŽoevery form of tyranny over the mind of man.ÐŽ± During his lifetime he sought to develop a government that would best assure the freedom and well-being of the individual.

Born in Virginia, Thomas Jefferson, a brilliant student at school and a most talented lawyer later, was much interested in politics. Now, IЎЇll easily introduce his political career. Begin in 1772, Jefferson had for several years been a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. His first important paper ÐŽoA Summary View of the Rights of British AmericaÐŽ± was written in 1774.mainly about the opposition of ParliamentЎЇs authority over the colonies. The next year, he became a delegate of the Second Continental Congress with his first public speech. On June 21, 1775, Jefferson took his seat in Congress. A few days later, John Rutledge of South Carolina was appointed to write a statement explaining the colonists' reasons for making war on Britain later this statement became the famous Declaration of Independence. Jefferson was elected Governor of Virginia in 1779, sent to France as the representative of the American government in 1784. Sixteen years later, at the age of 57, he was elected president after Washington and Adams.

Besides his important political devotion, I also admire his