Who is Thomas Jefferson?
Thomas Jefferson was the third President of the United States. He is also notable for being the main author of the Declaration of Independence and the founder of the Jeffersonian Republican party, the forerunner of today’s Democratic Party. Thomas Jefferson was influenced by Enlightenment ideals such as democracy, states’ rights, a limited Federal government, and separation of church and state. Thomas Jefferson was born in Shadwell in Albemarle County, Virginia on 13 April 1743, the son of wealthy plantation owners. Thomas Jefferson inherited his father’s estate upon the latter’s death in 1757 and built his home, Monticello, on the property. Thomas Jefferson received an excellent education at local schools, studying Latin, Greek, French, history, and science. At the age of 16, he attended the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, graduating with highest honors after two years before continuing on to law school. He was admitted to the bar at the age of 24.
