THOMAS JEFFERSON
Biography

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), 3d PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. As the author of the Declaration of Independence and
the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, he is probably the most conspicuous champion of political and spiritual freedom in his country's
history. He voiced the aspirations of the new nation in matchless phrase, and one may doubt if any other American has been so often
quoted. As a public official--legislator, diplomat, and executive--he served the province and commonwealth of Virginia and the young
American republic almost 40 years.

While his services as a Revolutionary patriot have beenhonored by his countrymen with only slight dissent, his later and more controversial
political activities have been variously interpreted. Believing that the government was not being conducted in the spirit of 1776, he turned
against the administration in WASHINGTON's second term and remained in opposition during the presidency of John ADAMS.
Jefferson, who was president from 1801 to 1809, was the acknowledged head of his political party, and his election to the highest office
has been interpreted as a vindication of the right of political opposition. His ELECTION checked in the United States the tide of political
reaction that was sweeping the Western world, and it furthered the development of political democracy. Throughout his life he sought to
do that, though the term he generally used was republicanism.

Opinions differ about his conduct of foreign affairs as president. He acquired the vast province of Louisiana and maintained neutrality in a
world of war, but his policies failed to safeguard neutral rights at sea and imposed hardships at home. As a result, his administration
reached its nadir as it ended. Until his last year as president he exercised leadership over his party that was to be matched by no other
19th century president, and he enjoyed remarkable popularity. He was rightly hailed as the "Man of the People," because he sought to
conduct the government in the popular interest, rather than in the interest of any privileged group, and, insofar as possible, in accordance
with the people's will.

He was a tall and vigorous man, not particularly impressive in person but amiable, once his original stiffness wore off. He was habitually
tactful and notably respectful of the opinions and personalities of others, though he had slight tolerance of those he believed unfaithful to
republicanism. A devoted family man who set great store by privacy, he built his house upon a mountain, but he did not look down on
people. A distinguished architect and naturalist in his own right, a remarkable linguist, a noted bibliophile, and the father of the University
of Virginia, he was the chief patron of learning and the arts in his country in his day. And, with the possible exception of Benjamin
Franklin, he was the closest American approximation of the universal man.