thomas jefferson :: essays research papers

Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson is remembered in history non only for the offices he held, but also for his belief in the ingrained rights of man as expressed in the Declaration of Independence and his assurance in the peoples ability to govern themselves. He left field an impact on his times equaled by few others in American history. Born on April 13, 1743, Jefferson was the third child in the family and grew up with sixsome sisters and one brother. Though he opposed slavery, his family had owned slaves. From his father and his environs he developed an interest in botany, geology, cartography, and North American exploration, and from his childishness teacher developed a love for Greek and Latin. In 1760, at the age of 16, Jefferson entered the College of William and Mary and study under William Small and George Wythe. with Small, he got his first views of the expansion of science and of the system of things in which we are placed. Through Small and Wythe, Jefferson became acquainted with Governor Francis Fauquier. later on finishing college in 1762, Jefferson studied law with Wythe and noticed growing tension between America and considerable Britain. Jefferson was admitted to the bar in 1767. He successfully practiced law until commonplace service occupied most of his time. At his home in Shadwell, he designed and supervised the building of his home, Monticello, on a nearby hill. He was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1769. Jefferson met Martha Wayles Skelton, a wealthy widow of 23, in 1770 and married her in 1772. They settled in Monticello and had one son and pentad daughters. Only two of his children, Martha and Mary, survived until maturity. Mrs. Martha Jefferson died in 1782, leaving Thomas to take trade of his two remaining children.Though not very articulate, Jefferson proved to be an able writer of laws and resolutions he was very concise and straight to the point. Jefferson short became a member in a group which opposed a nd took save in the disputes between Britain and the colonies. Together with other patriots, the group met in the Apollo inhabit of Williamsburgs famous Raleigh Tavern in 1769 and formed a nonimportation agreement against Britain, vowing not to pay import duties imposed by the Townshend Acts. After a period of calmness, problems faced the colonists again, forcing Jefferson to organize another nonimportation agreement and craft the colonies together to