"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are
created equal; that they are endowed unalienable rights;
that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness." These famous lines of the Declaration of
Independence was written in the front parlor of a second
floor rented apartment by the American, Thomas Jefferson.
These few words show what ideas and beliefs Thomas
Jefferson stood for, and how he continuously fought for
these words to become fulfilled in his country. This
powerful advocate of liberty was born in 1743 in
Albermarle County, Virginia. From his father he inherited
some 5,000 acres of land, and from his mother, a high
social ranking. He studied at the College of William and
Mary, then read the law. Thomas Jefferson was a man of
many different talents. He knew several languages,
including Latin and Greek. He was an expert mathematician
who was even able to calculate when eclipses of the sun
and moon would occur. He could design buildings, perform
medical operations like an experienced surgeon, survey
land, and play the violin. Despite his thinness, he was strong
enough to tame a wild horse and chop wood like a
lumberjack. Most important of all, he was know to be a
superb writer. Though surprisingly, Thomas Jefferson was
not a man of many words. Not known for his speaking
abilities, he was shy and seldom spoke in public. When
delegates at the Congress gave long speeches, Thomas
Jefferson oftentimes just listened. John Adams said of
Jefferson, "During the whole time I sat with him in
Congress, I never heard him utter three sentences
together." Instead, this Virginian contributed his pen rather
than his voice to the patriotic cause. Being known
throughout the colonies as a fine writer on political
questions, he received the most votes to become the
chairman of the committee elected to write a Declaration of
Independence. The other members of the committee asked
him to write a first draft of the Declaration. Jefferson began
his work in the parlor of his apartment. For several days,
he worked long hours at a desk, writing this Declaration for
which he is widely known. He described that his words
were not meant to be original or creative, but "to be an
expression of the American mind." Thomas Jefferson was a
reluctant candidate for President in 1796, and came within
three votes of election. However in 1800 he did become
the third president of the United States. As president
Jefferson slashed Army and Navy expenditures, cut the
budget, eliminated tax on whiskey, and reduced the
national debt by a third. Although the Constitution made no
provisions for the acquisition of new land, Jefferson
suppressed his qualms over constitutionality and acquired
the Louisiana Territory from Napoleon in 1803. Jefferson
retired to Monticello to ponder such projects as his grand
designs for the University of Virginia. As a French
nobleman observed, he had placed his house and his mind
"on an elevated situation, from which he might contemplate
the universe." Truly, Thomas Jefferson was an American.
He had endless devotion and love for his country, and
helped establish what the American experience stood for.
He had a great impact on how the young nation grew into
the powerful country it is today. Not only did he physically
double the size of the United States, he played a key role in
making the nation independent.