Thomas Jefferson: Inspiring History
A Thought Leader
Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 to July 4, 1826) was an American statesman, philosopher, diplomat, lawyer, architect, and Founding Father.
He was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson served as the third president of the United States. Following the American Revolutionary War and prior to becoming president in 1801, and held other key positions as secretary of state and vice president.
Jefferson was an advocate for religious freedom and tolerance. He showed leadership ability as he peacefully acquired the Louisiana Territory from France.
Jefferson had extraordinary qualities, abilities that place him well as a person with a Profile in Character. I consider him summarily as a thought leader, someone who has academic tendencies, and a desire for reading. He reads widely gaining a broad understanding of the world. He has the ability to interpret this background into useful advances in society.
Jefferson was well-read for sure. Amongst the broad variety of subjects that he read was: law and philosophy, history, the natural laws, religion and ethics, and other useful areas like agriculture.
Jefferson held his books in high regard. He collected three large libraries during his lifetime; and was key in the rebuilding of the Library of Congress after the burning by the British in the War of 1812.
From the knowledge he built and the wisdom that he developed, he applied this to the betterment of the fledgling and new nation. His writings promoted human rights, such as the freedom of thought, speech and religion. These writings acted as inspirations for the Revolutionary War and breaking the ties to Britain. The writings he had helped to promote the acceptance of democracy and individual rights. His writings helped in the development of the formative documents, such as the parliamentary procedure, that were key to the nation and others beyond.
Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. He was himself influenced by the Enlightenment era and ideals. He founded the University of Virginia.
Jefferson's preamble, when writing the Declaration of Independence is considered as an enduring statement on individual and human rights. The phrasing "all men are created equal" has been called "one of the best-known sentences in the English language". Historian Joseph Ellis wrote that the Declaration of Independence represents "the most potent and consequential words in American history.
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Official Portrait of President Thomas Jefferson. Rembrandt Peale 1800
Portrait of Thomas Jefferson, age 41 in 1791. Charles Willson Peale
Episode 20 5/18/2024