Canterbury Tales
The third president of the United States, a diplomat, statesman, architect, scientist, and philosopher, Thomas Jefferson is one of the most eminent figures in American history. No leader in the period of the American Enlightenment was as articulate, wise, or conscious of the implications and consequences of a free society as Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743, at Shadwell, a tobacco plantation in Virginia. His father, Peter Jefferson, was a self-made success, and although uneducated he was a very intelligent man. His mother, Jane Randolph was a member of one of the most distinguished families in Virginia . Peter Jefferson died when Thomas was 14 and left him valuable lands and property. Denied a formal education himself, he directed that his son be given complete classical training. He studied with Reverend Mr. Maury, a classical scholar, for two years and in 1760 he attended William and Mary College. After graduating from William and Mary in 1762, Jefferson studied law for five years under George Wythe. In January of 1772, he married Martha Wayles Skelton and established a residence at Monticello. When they moved to Monticello, only a small one room building was completed. Jef
Jefferson thought that all of Hamilton's acts were dominated by one purpose: to establish government by and for a privileged few. Although his resolutions were considered too revolutionary and not adopted, they were printed and widely circulated and subsequently all important writing assignments were entrusted to Jefferson. Despite his preoccupation with the University, he continued to pursue a multitude of other tasks. Busy as he was during these years, Jefferson had found time to follow his favorite intellectual pursuits. The document, was finally approved by Congress on July 4, 1776. The almost immediate response of private citizens, in New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, on hearing this news was to donate a sum of over $16,000 to aid the leader who had devoted his industry and resourcefulness to all America for half a century (Smith 304). Jefferson, as head of the state, was singled out for criticism and abuse. After Washington's approval the legislature passed a resolution officially clearing Jefferson of all charges (Smith 134,135). When his term expired on March 3, 1809, he was thrilled to be leaving politics and returning to Monticello (Mclaughlin 376). Spain transferred to France its rights to the port of New Orleans, and the stretch of land constituting the province of Louisiana. After negotiating the country's foreign affairs, Jefferson once again retired to Monticello. He sent home to America information on the different c!ultures, the actual seeds of a variety of grasses not native to America, olive plants, and Italian rice. In sorrow for his wife, Jefferson declined numerous appointments. Jefferson had frequently advanced money to friends who fancied themselves more hard-pressed than he, and occasionally had been forced to make good on their notes when they found it impossible to do so. He had not only aided in establishing a National Library, but had made many valuable additions to his own private collection.
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