Thomas Jefferson, the American icon, is best remembered as the author of our Declaration of Independence and as a great president. Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743, at Shadwell plantation in western Virginia. He later went on to excel in school and graduated at William and Mary College in Virginia. After college, Jefferson became involved in government and was elected president of the Virginia House of Burgesses. Jefferson soon found himself a forerunner of the American Revolution, when he was appointed to write the Declaration of Independence. Authoring this important document positioned him as one of the new nation's most important founding fathers equal to Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, James Madison, and John Adams. As many people know Jefferson desired separation from Great Britain; but didn't actually support the Revolutionary War by fighting as a soldier. In spite of the fact, his famous document would eventually propel him to the position of the U.S. presidency.
             His election signaled the first peaceful transfer of political power, as he was inaugurated on March 12, 1801. Before Jefferson entered office, John Adams under-handedly appointed nearly 200 new judges at midnight, with intentions of providing the Federalist with a strong voice by dominating the judicial branch. Adams actions were allowed by the recent inception of the Judiciary Act of 1801, which would later be repealed in a landmark Supreme Court decision in Marbury vs. Madison in 1803. This decision gave the supreme court the power of Judicial Review, right to declare legislative acts unconstitutional. During his two-terms Jefferson managed to acquire some pretty significant accomplishments. He repealed most internal taxes, cut national expenses, reduced the U.S. military and virtually doubled the United States landmass with the Louisiana Purchase. The Embargo Act and his many contradictions marred Jefferson's brilliant presidential legacy...