Thomas Jefferson was born into a Virginia planter family in 1743.  As a young man he attended the college of William and Mary, and upon graduation assumed the role of a well-to-do Virginia gentleman.  Jefferson began his political career as a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses, and in the 1760 he became outspoken against what he considered to be British abridgment of the colonist's liberties.  Jefferson served in the Continental Congress, and in 1776 authored the Declaration of Independence.  After the American Revolution, Jefferson remained a public figure, and in 1785 he became U.S. minister to France.  In the 1790's Jefferson emerged as the leader of the Democratic-Republicans, a political party which opposed a strong centralized state.  After loosing the presidential election in 1796, Jefferson served as Vice-President, and was elected President in 1800.  He served two terms.  As President Jefferson strove to see an "America of small farmers" come to fruition, and he negotiated the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.  He also worked hard to avoid U.S. involvement in the Napoleonic wars.  In 1809 Jefferson retired to his home at Monticello, where he died on July 4, 1826.
 




Online Thomas Jefferson Resources:

Account of a Declaration - An account, in Jefferson's own words, of the circumstances that lead to the Declaration of Independence.

Ask Thomas Jefferson - A collection of Jefferson 3quotes.

Autobiography - Text of a short autobiography written in 1821.

Jefferson Perspective, The - Features a variety of essays which examine today's social and political issues within the framework of Jefferson's writings.

Jefferson Quotes on Politics and Government - Contains over 2,700 Jefferson quotes.

Life of Thomas Jefferson - Complete online text of a biography by B.L. Rayner, which was first published eight years after Jefferson's death.

Monticello - Official website of Jefferson's home.  Contains a large selection of Jefferson information and links.

Mr. Jefferson's Music - Discusses the musical pursuits of Thomas Jefferson.

Poplar Forest - Website of Jefferson's personal retreat away from Monticello.

Thomas Jefferson by Ken Burns - Official website of the PBS film on Jefferson's life.

Thomas Jefferson Discussion Port - Online Jefferson discussion board and live chat.

Thomas Jefferson Papers, The - Website for the Thomas Jefferson manuscript division at the U.S. Library of Congress.  This collection contains over 27,000 documents.

Thomas Jefferson's Quote of the Day - Receive a Jefferson quote by e-mail every day, or post one to your website.