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The Cambridge Companion to Thomas Jefferson: A Long-Tailed Exploration of American History and Thought

Nathan Reed

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Published in The Cambridge Companion To Thomas Jefferson (Cambridge Companions To American Studies)

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Portrait Of Thomas Jefferson, Third President Of The United States The Cambridge Companion To Thomas Jefferson (Cambridge Companions To American Studies)

Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, was a towering figure in American history and thought. His ideas and actions shaped the course of the young nation, and his legacy continues to be debated and celebrated today.

The Cambridge Companion to Thomas Jefferson (Cambridge Companions to American Studies)

by Stanley J. Feldman

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Language	:	English
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The Cambridge Companion to Thomas Jefferson is a comprehensive and authoritative guide to Jefferson's life and work. Edited by Peter S. Onuf, one of the leading Jefferson scholars in the world, the Companion brings together a team of distinguished historians to offer fresh insights into Jefferson's complex and multifaceted personality and career.

The Companion is divided into four parts. The first part examines Jefferson's early life and education, his political and intellectual development, and his role in the American Revolution. The second part explores Jefferson's presidency, his foreign policy, and his domestic agenda. The third part examines Jefferson's later life, his retirement to Monticello, and his continuing involvement in American politics and thought. The fourth part assesses Jefferson's legacy, his impact on American history and culture, and his enduring influence on American thought and politics.

The Cambridge Companion to Thomas Jefferson is essential reading for anyone interested in American history, American thought, or the life and work of one of the most important figures in American history.

Jefferson's Life and Career

Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743, at Shadwell, his family's plantation in Albemarle County, Virginia. He was the third of ten children born to Peter Jefferson, a successful planter and surveyor, and Jane Randolph Jefferson, a member of one of Virginia's most prominent families.

Jefferson received a classical education at the College of William and Mary, where he studied under the tutelage of William Small, a Scottish professor who introduced him to the Enlightenment thinkers and the principles of republicanism.

After graduating from college, Jefferson returned to Virginia and began practicing law. He quickly rose to prominence in his local community, and in 1769, he was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses.

In the House of Burgesses, Jefferson emerged as a leading advocate for American independence. He drafted the Virginia Declaration of Rights in 1776, and he was a member of the Continental Congress that adopted the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

During the American Revolution, Jefferson served as Governor of Virginia and as a delegate to the Continental Congress. He also played a key role in the drafting of the Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the United States.

After the war, Jefferson returned to Monticello and resumed his legal practice. He also served as Minister to France from 1785 to 1789.

In 1796, Jefferson was elected Vice President of the United States. He served in that office for eight years, under President John Adams.

In 1800, Jefferson was elected President of the United States. He served two terms in office, from 1801 to 1809. During his presidency, Jefferson oversaw the Louisiana Purchase, doubled the size of the United States, and negotiated the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the War of 1812.

After leaving the presidency, Jefferson retired to Monticello, where he continued to write and correspond with leading figures in American and European thought. He died on July 4, 1826, the fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Jefferson's Legacy

Thomas Jefferson is considered one of the most important figures in American history. He was a brilliant writer, thinker, and statesman who made major contributions to the development of American democracy and American thought.

Jefferson's legacy is complex and controversial. He was a slaveholder who owned over 600 slaves during his lifetime. He also expressed racist views about African Americans. However, Jefferson also condemned slavery as a moral evil, and he worked to promote the education of African Americans.

Jefferson's legacy is also marked by his contradictions. He was a champion of democracy and individual liberty, but he also believed in the importance of a strong central government. He was a visionary who dreamed of a more just and egalitarian society, but he also lived a life of privilege and wealth.

Despite his contradictions, Jefferson remains one of the most important and influential Figuren in American history. His ideas and ideals continue to inspire Americans today.