Publisher's Synopsis
University Press returns with another short and captivating portrait of one of history's most compelling figures, Thomas Jefferson.
Thomas Jefferson is considered one of the most significant leaders in American history. He was one of the elite founding fathers of the United States and, as a champion of liberty and equality, he played a central role in helping the original thirteen American colonies gain their independence from Great Britain. Yet he owned more than 600 slaves - including one named Sally Hemings who gave birth to at least six of Jefferson's children.
Born in Virginia to a large, elite, plantation-owning family, Jefferson married his third cousin, secured religious freedom for Virginians, represented Virginia in the Continental Congress, wrote the Declaration of Independence, became America's first Secretary of State, served as the third President of the United States, fought the Barbary pirates, negotiated the Louisiana Purchase, had to deal with the fact that his Vice President killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel, implemented a disastrous Embargo Act, prohibited the importation of slaves, founded the University of Virginia, and incurred $100,000 of debt by the end of his life. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died the same day - July 4, 1826 - exactly 50 years, to the day, after they had both signed the Declaration of Independence.
This short book tells the intensely human story of a man who changed the world in a way that no one else could.
