Thomas Jefferson
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Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13,1743 in Shadwell, Virginia.
He was born to his two parents Peter Jefferson and Jane Randolph. His father
was a planter and surveyor and his mother came from a wealthy family whose
descendants were of the Kings of Scotland and England. Thomas Jefferson was
a brother to nine other siblings, two of which, died in childhood.
(Resource: www.revolutionary-war-and-beyond.com)
Early Childhood
While growing up in Shadwell, Virginia Jefferson's father passed away in
1757 forcing him, at only 14 years old, to become the head of his family. A family
friend stepped in to run the household until Thomas finished his
education but he knew he would have to grow up quickly. It seems as though he
fell in love with reading at about this time. In the midst of all this trouble he did
what countless youths have done: he turned to his books. Although, he was
wealthy. He inherited, at birth, a prominent place in the Virginia aristocracy from
his mother's side.
(Resource: www.shmoop.com)
Education
In 1752 at age nine, he began attending a local school that was run by Scottish minister William Douglas. While there he studied Greek, Latin and French.
From 1758-1760 he attended a school run by minister James Maury in Fredericksville Parish near Gordonsville, Virginia, where he recieved a classical education and studied history and science.
In 1760 at age 16, Thomas Jefferson entered the college of William and Mary in Williamsburg studying math, philosophy and metaphysics. He graduated with highest honors in 1762.
Finally he studied law with George Wythe, a later signer of the Declaration of Independence.
(Resource: www.revolutionary-war-and-beyond.com)
Profession
Thomas Jefferson was a successful lawyer, though his proffessional income was only supplement. He had inherited a
considerable landed estate from his father. However, his father-in-law's estate imposed a burdensome debt on Jefferson.
Jefferson's lifelong emphasis on local government grew directly from his own experience. He served as a magistrate and as
county lieutenant of Albemarle county. Elected to the House of Burgesses when he was 25, served there from 1769 to 1774,
showing himself to a be an effective committeemen and skillful draftsman, though not an able speaker.
(Rescource:www.theamericanrevolution.org)
American Revolution
During the Revolution, Jefferson served in the Virignia house of burgesses beginning in 1769 as a representative
from Albemarle County. In 1774, British passed the Intolerable Acts, which outraged colonists all over America
and Jefferson wrote a set of resolutions condemning the acts, this expanded into his first published work, "A
Summary View of the Rights of British America." It was intended as instructions for Virginia's delegation to the
Continental Congress, but the document was widely distributed and it made Jefferson into a widely respected
Patriot.
(Resource: www.revolutionary-war-and-beyond.com)
Death
Thomas Jefferson died onJuly 4, 1826 at the age of 83. He was buried at Monticello, the Jefferson's estate near
Charlottesville, Virginia.
(Resource: www.revolutionary-war-and-beyond.com)
He was born to his two parents Peter Jefferson and Jane Randolph. His father
was a planter and surveyor and his mother came from a wealthy family whose
descendants were of the Kings of Scotland and England. Thomas Jefferson was
a brother to nine other siblings, two of which, died in childhood.
(Resource: www.revolutionary-war-and-beyond.com)
Early Childhood
While growing up in Shadwell, Virginia Jefferson's father passed away in
1757 forcing him, at only 14 years old, to become the head of his family. A family
friend stepped in to run the household until Thomas finished his
education but he knew he would have to grow up quickly. It seems as though he
fell in love with reading at about this time. In the midst of all this trouble he did
what countless youths have done: he turned to his books. Although, he was
wealthy. He inherited, at birth, a prominent place in the Virginia aristocracy from
his mother's side.
(Resource: www.shmoop.com)
Education
In 1752 at age nine, he began attending a local school that was run by Scottish minister William Douglas. While there he studied Greek, Latin and French.
From 1758-1760 he attended a school run by minister James Maury in Fredericksville Parish near Gordonsville, Virginia, where he recieved a classical education and studied history and science.
In 1760 at age 16, Thomas Jefferson entered the college of William and Mary in Williamsburg studying math, philosophy and metaphysics. He graduated with highest honors in 1762.
Finally he studied law with George Wythe, a later signer of the Declaration of Independence.
(Resource: www.revolutionary-war-and-beyond.com)
Profession
Thomas Jefferson was a successful lawyer, though his proffessional income was only supplement. He had inherited a
considerable landed estate from his father. However, his father-in-law's estate imposed a burdensome debt on Jefferson.
Jefferson's lifelong emphasis on local government grew directly from his own experience. He served as a magistrate and as
county lieutenant of Albemarle county. Elected to the House of Burgesses when he was 25, served there from 1769 to 1774,
showing himself to a be an effective committeemen and skillful draftsman, though not an able speaker.
(Rescource:www.theamericanrevolution.org)
American Revolution
During the Revolution, Jefferson served in the Virignia house of burgesses beginning in 1769 as a representative
from Albemarle County. In 1774, British passed the Intolerable Acts, which outraged colonists all over America
and Jefferson wrote a set of resolutions condemning the acts, this expanded into his first published work, "A
Summary View of the Rights of British America." It was intended as instructions for Virginia's delegation to the
Continental Congress, but the document was widely distributed and it made Jefferson into a widely respected
Patriot.
(Resource: www.revolutionary-war-and-beyond.com)
Death
Thomas Jefferson died onJuly 4, 1826 at the age of 83. He was buried at Monticello, the Jefferson's estate near
Charlottesville, Virginia.
(Resource: www.revolutionary-war-and-beyond.com)