Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson was the 3rd President of the United States.

Served as President: 1801-1809 Vice President: Aaron Burr, George Clinton Party: Democratic-Republican Born: April 13, 1743 in Albemarle County, Virginia Died: July 4, 1826 in Monticello in Virginia

Married: Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson Children: Martha and Mary Nickname: Father of the Declaration of Independence

Thomas grew up in the English Colony of Virginia. His parents, Peter and Jane, were wealthy landowners.

Thomas enjoyed reading, exploring nature, and playing the violin. When he was just 11 years old his father died. He inherited his father's large estate and began to manage it at the age of 21.

Thomas attended the college of William and Mary in Virginia. There he met his mentor, a law professor,George Wythe. He became interested in law and would later decide to become a lawyer.

Before he became president, Thomas Jefferson had a number of jobs: he was a lawyer who studied and practiced law, he was a farmer and managed his vast estate, and he was a politician who served as a member of Virginia's legislature.

By the 1770s, the American colonies, including Virginia, began to feel they were being unjustly treated by their British rulers.

He became a leader in the fight for independence and represented Virginia at the Continental Congress.

Thomas Jefferson became the third President of the United States on March 4, 1801.

Writing the Declaration of Independence During the Second Continental Congress, Jefferson was tasked, together with John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, to write a Declaration of Independence. This document was to state that the colonies considered themselves free from British rule and were willing to fight for that freedom. This document is one of the most treasured documents in the history of the United States.