Thomas Jefferson facts for kids

Along with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson is one of the best known American presidents to date. As one of the principle Founding Fathers of America, Thomas Jefferson secured his place in history with both his political and military influence.

Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743 in a small town in the Colony of Virginia. He had a very large family, seeing as he had nine brothers and sisters. His father’s name was Peter Jefferson and his mother was Jane Randolph. Peter Jefferson was a planter; though, he died when young Thomas Jefferson was only fourteen years old. Both Thomas and his brother Randolph inherited their father’s estate when he died. Thomas acquired around five thousand acres of land, including Monticello, and he gained full control over the property when he turned twenty-one years old.

Thomas Jefferson was first taught by a Scottish Presbyterian minister. By the age of nine, he was learning the three following languages: French, Latin, and Greek. When he was sixteen years old, he entered the College of William & Mary in Virginia, where he was introduced to the brilliant minds of John Locke, Francis Bacon, and Isaac Newton. Perhaps as a testament to his education, Jefferson had a great love for books and literature. In a letter to John Adams, the second president of the United States, Jefferson said, “I cannot live without books.”

His political career began relatively early in life. Jefferson was the youngest delegates to the Second Continental Congress when he was just 33. After the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War, Jefferson was selected to write the original draft of the Declaration of Independence. That’s when he called out to John Adams, who quickly grew to be his close friend. By the time he wrote the declaration, the idea of independence had already won over the hearts of Americans. He was inspired, of course, by people like Locke and Montesquieu. Originally, Congress felt that it should have been John Adams who wrote the document; however, Adams persuaded Congress to choose Jefferson. Once Jefferson wrote the document, other committee members, including John Adams, made a few changes before finalizing it.

Later on, the Congress of the Confederation sent Thomas Jefferson, along with John Adams and Bejamin Franklin, to Europe as trade negotiators and ministers. By this time, Jefferson was windowed and he was sent to Europe in hope that the new title would distract him from his wife’s death. He fell in love once again in 1786, and though they never married, she remained a constant correspondent.

Thomas Jefferson attained many accomplishments while he was alive. Not only was he the third president of the United States, but he was also Secretary of State and Minister of France. That being said, there is more to Thomas Jefferson than the political leader that is taught in textbooks. A large intellect and a man of true honour, Thomas Jefferson is, without a doubt, one of the greatest political leaders to have ruled over the United States.