Patrick Demers

10/20/15
American Revolution
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was born April 13, 1743, in western Virginia. He had many talents
including being a jurist, writer, inventor, and President of the United States. Although he had so
many talents, he only requested three things to be on his tomb and President wasnt one of
them. Keep reading to find out what he requested.
Following in his father's footsteps he was a hard worker. At age nine, he began boarding
with a minister-teacher for nine months out of the year. For college, he attended College of
William and Mary. When he was only fourteen, his father, Peter, died of illness. On January 1st,
1772, Jefferson married Martha Wayles Skelton. They had six children, unfortunately, only two
survived to adulthood.
In 1773, Jefferson helped to found the Virginia Committee of Correspondence. Later,
through his written opinions, he started the people of the colonies talking about the amount of
authority the English Parliament should have on them. Jefferson became known for his writing.
He was selected as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress at age 33. As a member of
the Second Continental Congress, he was asked to draft the Declaration of Independence, he
agreed. Since he had been re-elected to the Virginia House of Delegates, in 1776, he resigned
from the Second Continental Congress. After that, he went on to serve as governor of Virginia
and serve in Congress for the second time. He also became the U.S. minister to France. In
1801, he took office as the 3rd president of the United States. He served as president from
1801-1809.
Thomas Jefferson would be a strong member in today's society because he was willing
to stand up for what was right. He may have difficulty getting elected to public office because he

wasnt the best public speaker. He was quiet and had a lisp. In todays society, he might have
fit in as a political columnist or blogger.
Thomas Jefferson was a hard worker who attended College of William and Mary. On his
tombstone he had written Here was buried Thomas Jefferson Author of the Declaration of
American Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom & Father of the
University of Virginia. He was a well respected writer who was elected to several different
offices, including President of the United States. He was instrumental in helping the colonies
gain independence from English rule.

Bibliography
American National Biography Online: Jefferson, Thomas. American National Biography
Online: Jefferson, Thomas. Web. 12 Oct. 2015. http://www.anb.org/articles/02/0200196.html

"Jefferson's Gravestone." Monticello.org. THOMASJEFFERSONFOUNDATION, INC.

Web. 12 Oct. 2015. <https://www.monticello.org/site/research-andcollections/jeffersons-gravestone>.
Miller Center. American President-. Web. 12 Oct. 2015.
<http://millercenter.org/president/jefferson>
Thomas Jefferson. History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2015.
<http://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/thomas-jefferson>