Thomas Jefferson Popular Books

Thomas Jefferson Biography & Facts

Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 – July 4, 1826) was an American statesman, diplomat, lawyer, architect, philosopher, and Founding Father who served as the third president of the United States from 1801 to 1809. He was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. Following the American Revolutionary War and prior to becoming president in 1801, Jefferson was the nation's first U.S. secretary of state under George Washington and then the nation's second vice president under John Adams. During the American Revolution, Jefferson represented Virginia at the Second Continental Congress and served as the second governor of Virginia from 1779 to 1781. In 1785, Congress appointed Jefferson U.S. minister to France, where he served from 1785 to 1789. President Washington then appointed Jefferson the nation's first secretary of state, where he served from 1790 to 1793. During this time, in the early 1790s, Jefferson and James Madison organized the Democratic-Republican Party to oppose the Federalist Party during the formation of the nation's First Party System. Jefferson and Federalist John Adams became both friends and political rivals. In the 1796 U.S. presidential election between the two, Jefferson came in second, which made him Adams' vice president under the electoral laws of the time. Four years later, in the 1800 presidential election, Jefferson again challenged Adams, and won the presidency. In 1804, Jefferson was reelected overwhelmingly to a second term. As president, Jefferson assertively defended the nation's shipping and trade interests against Barbary pirates and aggressive British trade policies. Beginning in 1803, he promoted a western expansionist policy with the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the nation's geographic size. To make room for settlement, Jefferson began the process of Indian tribal removal from the newly acquired territory. As a result of peace negotiations with France, Jefferson was able to reduce military forces and expenditures. In his second presidential term, Jefferson was beset by difficulties at home, including the trial of his former vice president Aaron Burr. In 1807, Jefferson implemented the Embargo Act to defend the nation's industries from British threats to U.S. shipping, limiting foreign trade and stimulating the birth of the American manufacturing industry. Presidential scholars and historians generally praise Jefferson's public achievements, including his advocacy of religious freedom and tolerance, his peaceful acquisition of the Louisiana Territory from France, and his leadership in supporting the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Jefferson is consistently ranked among the top ten US presidents, though his relationship with slavery continues to be debated. Jefferson was a slave owner, but condemned the slave trade in his draft of the Declaration of Independence and signed the Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves in 1807. Since the 1790s, he was rumored to have had children by his slave Sally Hemings; according to scholarly consensus, Jefferson probably fathered at least six children with Hemings. Jefferson's writings and advocacy for human rights, including freedom of thought, speech, and religion, served as substantial inspirations to the American Revolution and subsequent Revolutionary War in which the Thirteen Colonies succeeded in breaking from British America and establishing the United States as a free and sovereign nation. Jefferson was a leading proponent of democracy, republicanism, and individual rights, and produced formative documents and decisions at the state, national, and international levels. Jefferson's writings have been used by proponents of libertarianism to argue in favor of natural rights and small government. Early life and career Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743 (April 2, 1743, Old Style, Julian calendar), at the family's Shadwell Plantation in the British Colony of Virginia, the third of ten children. He was of English and possibly Welsh descent, and was born a British subject. His father, Peter Jefferson, was a planter and surveyor who died when Jefferson was fourteen; his mother was Jane Randolph. Peter Jefferson moved his family to Tuckahoe Plantation in 1745 on the death of William Randolph III, the plantation's owner and Jefferson's friend, who in his will had named Peter guardian of Randolph's children. The Jeffersons returned to Shadwell before October 1753.Peter died in 1757, and his estate was divided between his sons Thomas and Randolph. John Harvie Sr. became 13-year-old Thomas' guardian. Thomas inherited approximately 5,000 acres (2,000 ha; 7.8 sq mi), which included Monticello, and he assumed full legal authority over the property at age 21. Education and early family life Jefferson began his education together with the Randolph children at Tuckahoe under tutors. Thomas' father Peter, who was self-taught and regretted not having a formal education, entered Thomas into an English school at age five. In 1752, at age nine, he attended a local school run by a Scottish Presbyterian minister and also began studying the natural world, which he grew to love. At this time he began studying Latin, Greek, and French, while learning to ride horses as well. Thomas also read books from his father's modest library. He was taught from 1758 to 1760 by the Reverend James Maury near Gordonsville, Virginia, where he studied history, science, and the classics while boarding with Maury's family. Jefferson came to know various American Indians, including the Cherokee chief Ostenaco, who often stopped at Shadwell to visit on their way to Williamsburg to trade. In Williamsburg, the young Jefferson met and came to admire Patrick Henry, eight years his senior, and shared a common interest in the playing of the violin. Jefferson entered the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1761, at the age of sixteen, and studied mathematics, metaphysics, and philosophy with William Small. Under Small's tutelage, Jefferson encountered the ideas of the British Empiricists, including John Locke, Francis Bacon, and Isaac Newton. Small introduced Jefferson to George Wythe and Francis Fauquier. Small, Wythe, and Fauquier recognized Jefferson as a man of exceptional ability and included him in their inner circle, where he became a regular member of their Friday dinner parties. Jefferson later wrote that, while there, he "heard more common good sense, more rational & philosophical conversations than in all the rest of my life".During his first year at the college, Jefferson spent considerable time attending parties and dancing and was not very frugal with his expenditures; in his second year, regretting that he had squandered away time and money in his first year, he committed to studying fifteen hours a day. While at William & Mary, Jefferson became a member of the Flat Hat Club.Jefferson graduated in 1762. He read the law under Wythe's tutelage while working as a law clerk in his office.... Discover the Thomas Jefferson popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Thomas Jefferson books.

Best Seller Thomas Jefferson Books of 2024

  • Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings synopsis, comments

    Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings

    Annette Gordon-Reed

    When Annette GordonReed's groundbreaking study was first published, rumors of Thomas Jefferson's sexual involvement with his slave Sally Hemings had circulated for two centuries. A...

  • White Trash synopsis, comments

    White Trash

    Nancy Isenberg

    The New York Times bestseller A New York Times Notable and Critics’ Top Book of 2016Longlisted for the PEN/John Kenneth Galbraith Award for NonfictionOne of NPR's 10 Best Books Of ...

  • Thomas Jefferson synopsis, comments

    Thomas Jefferson

    John T. Morse

    Originally published in 1898, Thomas Jefferson is a classic biography of the man who so deeply ingrained the republican ideals of the Founding Fathers into American society.As such...

  • Thomas Jefferson synopsis, comments

    Thomas Jefferson

    R. B. Bernstein

    Thomas Jefferson designed his own tombstone, describing himself simply as "Author of the Declaration of Independence and of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, and Father o...

  • Thomas Jefferson synopsis, comments

    Thomas Jefferson

    Henry Moscow

    President Thomas Jefferson wrote America's Declaration of Independence, but he also was an anthropologist, architect, astronomer, botanist, diplomat, farmer, inventor, lawyer, math...

  • Thomas Jefferson synopsis, comments

    Thomas Jefferson

    Joyce Appleby & Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.

    An illuminating analysis of the man whose name is synonymous with American democracyFew presidents have embodied the American spirit as fully as Thomas Jefferson. He was the origin...

  • Thomas Jefferson synopsis, comments

    Thomas Jefferson

    Edward Sylvester Ellis

    This fascinating biography of Thomas Jefferson encapsulates his life and times. Ellis has portrayed him in all his greatness as a leader as well as a human being who was flawed, my...

  • Thomas Jefferson Dreams of Sally Hemings synopsis, comments

    Thomas Jefferson Dreams of Sally Hemings

    Stephen O'Connor

    “Dazzling. . . The most revolutionary reimagining of Jefferson’s life ever.” –Ron Charles, Washington PostWinner of the Crook’s Corner Book PrizeLonglisted for the 2016 Center...

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    Thomas Jefferson

    Brett F. Woods

    Philosopher, diplomat, politician, inventor, writer, architect, even gardener, from a historical perspective Thomas Jefferson emerges as an extraordinary individual one who was cl...

  • Autobiography of Thomas Jefferson synopsis, comments

    Autobiography of Thomas Jefferson

    Thomas Jefferson

    This is an electronic edition of the complete book complemented by author biography. This book features a table of contents linked to every chapter. The book was designed for optim...

  • Memoir, Correspondence, And Miscellanies, From The Papers Of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 1 synopsis, comments

    Memoir, Correspondence, And Miscellanies, From The Papers Of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 1

    Thomas Jefferson

    The Memoir will be considered not a little enriched by the Debates in Congress, on the great question of Independence, as they were taken down by Mr. Jefferson at the time, and whi...

  • Memoir, Correspondence, And Miscellanies, From The Papers Of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 4 synopsis, comments

    Memoir, Correspondence, And Miscellanies, From The Papers Of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 4

    Thomas Jefferson

    The opinion universally entertained of the extraordinary abilities of Thomas Jefferson, and the signal evidence given by his country, of a profound sense of his patriotic services,...

  • 1776 synopsis, comments

    1776

    David McCullough

    America’s beloved and distinguished historian presents, in a book of breathtaking excitement, drama, and narrative force, the stirring story of the year of our nation’s birth, 1776...

  • Thomas Jefferson synopsis, comments

    Thomas Jefferson

    Thomas S. Kidd

    A revelatory new biography of Thomas Jefferson, focusing on his ethical and spiritual life  “Set aside everything you think you know about Thomas Jefferson and religion, and r...

  • Memoir, Correspondence, And Miscellanies, From The Papers Of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 3 synopsis, comments

    Memoir, Correspondence, And Miscellanies, From The Papers Of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 3

    Thomas Jefferson

    Great insight into the person of Thomas Jefferson can be seen by looking at his correspondence and memoirs. He was a very prolific writer and left a lot of great advice and observa...

  • Bunker Hill synopsis, comments

    Bunker Hill

    Nathaniel Philbrick

    The bestselling author of In the Heart of the Sea, Mayflower, and In the Hurricane's Eye tells the story of the Boston battle that ignited the American Revolution, in thi...

  • Works of Thomas Jefferson synopsis, comments

    Works of Thomas Jefferson

    Thomas Jefferson

    This collection was designed for optimal navigation on iPad and other electronic devices. This collection offers lower price, the convenience of a onetime download, and it reduce...

  • Killing England synopsis, comments

    Killing England

    Bill O'Reilly & Martin Dugard

    The Revolutionary War as never told before.This breathtaking installment in Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard’s megabestselling Killing series transports readers to the most importan...

  • Undaunted Courage synopsis, comments

    Undaunted Courage

    Stephen E. Ambrose

    From the New York Times bestselling author of Band of Brothers and DDay, the definitive book on Lewis and Clark’s exploration of the Louisiana Purchase, the most momentous expediti...

  • Your Voice Thomas Jefferson synopsis, comments

    Your Voice Thomas Jefferson

    Thomas Jefferson

    A handpicked selection of insightful quotes from Thomas Jefferson.

  • Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates synopsis, comments

    Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates

    Brian Kilmeade & Don Yaeger

    “Another blockbuster! Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates reads like an edgeofyourseat, pageturning thriller. You will love this book and also wonder why so few people know th...

  • Thomas Jefferson synopsis, comments

    Thomas Jefferson

    John Torrey Morse

    Originally published in 1898, Thomas Jefferson a classic biography of the man who so deeply ingrained the republican ideals of the Founding Fathers into American society. As such, ...

  • Thomas Jefferson synopsis, comments

    Thomas Jefferson

    Henry Childs Merwin

    He was an American Founding Father, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence (1776) and the third President of the United States (18011809). At the beginning of the ...

  • Stamped from the Beginning synopsis, comments

    Stamped from the Beginning

    Ibram X. Kendi

     The National Book Award winning history of how racist ideas were created, spread, and deeply rooted in American society. Some Americans insist that we're living in a postraci...

  • Washington synopsis, comments

    Washington

    Ron Chernow

    From the author of Alexander Hamilton, the New York Times bestselling biography that inspired the musical, comes a gripping portrait of the first president of the United ...

  • Alexander Hamilton synopsis, comments

    Alexander Hamilton

    Ron Chernow

    The #1 New York Times bestseller, and the inspiration for the hit Broadway musical Hamilton!Pulitzer Prizewinning author Ron Chernow presents a landmark biograp...

  • Autobiography of Thomas Jefferson synopsis, comments

    Autobiography of Thomas Jefferson

    Thomas Jefferson

    Thomas Jefferson (1743 – 1826) was an American Founding Father who was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and later served as the third President of the United...

  • Thomas Jefferson synopsis, comments

    Thomas Jefferson

    Jill K. Mulhall

    This inviting biography explores the life of Thomas Jefferson. Readers will discover the impact he made on early America as he took roles as governor, vice president, and President...

  • Memoir, Correspondence, And Miscellanies, From The Papers Of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 2 synopsis, comments

    Memoir, Correspondence, And Miscellanies, From The Papers Of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 2

    Thomas Jefferson

    The opinion universally entertained of the extraordinary abilities of Thomas Jefferson, and the signal evidence given by his country, of a profound sense of his patriotic services,...

  • The Writings of Thomas Jefferson synopsis, comments

    The Writings of Thomas Jefferson

    Thomas Jefferson

    The most comprehensive onevolume selection of Jefferson ever published. Contains the "Autobiography", "Notes on the State of Virginia", public and private papers, including the ori...

  • Miracles and Massacres synopsis, comments

    Miracles and Massacres

    Glenn Beck

    Glenn Beck, the New York Times bestselling author of The Great Reset presents history as it's supposed to be told: true and thrilling.History is about so much more than memorizing ...

  • Andrew Jackson and the Miracle of New Orleans synopsis, comments

    Andrew Jackson and the Miracle of New Orleans

    Brian Kilmeade & Don Yaeger

    Another history pageturner from the authors of the #1 bestsellers George Washington's Secret Six and Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates.The War of 1812 saw Ame...

  • Madison and Jefferson synopsis, comments

    Madison and Jefferson

    Andrew Burstein & Nancy Isenberg

    “[A] monumental dual biography . . . a distinguished work, combining deep research, a pleasing narrative style and an abundance of fresh insights, a rare combination.”The Dallas...

  • Founding Brothers synopsis, comments

    Founding Brothers

    Joseph J. Ellis

    PULITZER PRIZE WINNER NATIONAL BESTSELLER A landmark work of history explores how a group of greatly gifted but deeply flawed individualsHamilton, Burr, Jefferson, Franklin,...

  • Thomas Jefferson synopsis, comments

    Thomas Jefferson

    Maira Kalman

    Renowned artist Maira Kalman sheds light on the fascinating life and interests of the Renaissance man who was our third president.Thomas Jefferson is perhaps best known for writing...

  • Thomas Jefferson, a Character Sketch synopsis, comments

    Thomas Jefferson, a Character Sketch

    Edward Sylvester Ellis

    This book throws light over the life of Thomas Jefferson , a president who was a thinker and had the right ideas about our country and his work and accomplishments throughout his ...

  • The Ghost Map synopsis, comments

    The Ghost Map

    Steven Johnson

    A National Bestseller, a New York Times Notable Book, and an Entertainment Weekly Best Book of the Year from the author of Extra Life   “By turns a medical...