Biography of Thomas Jefferson, Third U.S. President

Biography of Thomas Jefferson, Third U.S. President Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743–July 4, 1826) was the third president of the United States, after George Washington and John Adams. His presidency is perhaps best known for the Louisiana Purchase, a single land transaction that doubled the size of the United States territory. Jefferson was an anti-Federalist who was wary of a large central government and favored states rights over federal authority. Fast Facts: Thomas Jefferson Known For: Third president of the United States; Founding Father; drafted the Declaration of IndependenceBorn: April 13, 1743 in the Colony of VirginiaDied: July 4, 1826 in Charlottesville, VirginiaEducation: College of William and MarySpouse: Martha Wayles (m. 1772-1782)Children: Martha, Jane Randolph, Unnamed Son, Maria, Lucy Elizabeth, Lucy Elizabeth (all with wife Martha); a rumored six with his slave Sally Hemings, including Madison and EstonNotable Quote: The government is best that governs least. Early Life Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743, in the Colony of Virginia. He was the son of  Colonel Peter Jefferson, a planter and public official, and Jane Randolph. Jefferson grew up in Virginia and was raised with the orphaned children of his fathers friend, William Randolph. He was educated from ages 9 to 14 by a clergyman named William Douglas, from whom he learned Greek, Latin, and French. He then attended Reverend James Maurys School before matriculating at the College of William and Mary. Jefferson studied law with George Wythe, the first American law professor. He was admitted to the bar in 1767. Political Career Jefferson entered politics in the late 1760s. He served in the House of Burgesses- the legislature of Virginia- from 1769 to 1774. On  January 1, 1772, Jefferson married  Martha Wayles Skelton. Together they had two daughters: Martha Patsy and Mary Polly. There is also speculation that Jefferson may have fathered several children with the slave  Sally Hemings. As a representative of Virginia, Jefferson argued against British actions and served on the Committee of Correspondence, which formed a union between the 13 American colonies. Jefferson was a member of the Continental Congress and later was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates. During part of the Revolutionary War, he served as the governor of Virginia. After the war, he was sent to France to act as a foreign minister. In 1790, President Washington  appointed Jefferson to be the United States first official  Secretary of State. Jefferson clashed with Secretary of the Treasury  Alexander Hamilton on how the new country should deal with France and Britain. Hamilton also desired a stronger federal government than Jefferson. Jefferson eventually resigned because he saw that Washington was more strongly influenced by Hamilton than himself. Jefferson later served as vice president under  John Adams  from 1797 to 1801. Election of 1800 In 1800, Jefferson ran as the Republican nominee for president, with  Aaron Burr  as his vice president. Jefferson ran a very contentious campaign against John Adams, under whom he had previously served. Jefferson and Burr tied in the  electoral vote,  leading to an electoral controversy that was ultimately resolved in Jeffersons favor by a vote in the House of Representatives. Jefferson took office as the countrys third president on February 17, 1801. Thomas Jefferson called the election of 1800 the Revolution  of  1800 because it was the first time in the United States when the presidency passed from one party to another. The election marked a peaceful transition of power that has continued to this day. First Term An important early event during Jeffersons first term in office was the court case  Marbury v. Madison,  which established the Supreme Courts power to rule on the constitutionality of federal acts. From 1801 to 1805, America engaged in a war with the Barbary States of North Africa. The United States had been paying tribute to pirates from this area to stop attacks on American ships. When the pirates asked for more money, Jefferson refused, leading Tripoli to declare war. This ended in success for the United States, which was no longer required to pay tribute to Tripoli. However, America did continue to pay the rest of the Barbary States. In 1803,  Jefferson purchased the Louisiana territory  from France for $15 million. Many historians consider this the most important act of his administration, as the purchase doubled the size of the United States. In 1804, Jefferson dispatched the Corps of Discovery, the expedition party famously led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, to explore the new territory Reelection of 1804 Jefferson was renominated for the presidency in 1804 with George Clinton as his vice president. Jefferson ran against Charles Pinckney from  South Carolina and easily won a second term. The Federalists were divided, with radical elements leading to the partys downfall. Jefferson received 162 electoral votes and Pinckney got only 14. Second Term In 1807, during Jeffersons second term, Congress passed a law ending Americas involvement in the foreign slave trade. This act- which went into effect January 1, 1808- abolished the importation of slaves from Africa (it did not, however, end the sale of slaves within the United States). By the end of Jeffersons second term, France and Britain were at war and American trade ships were often targeted. When the British boarded the American frigate  Chesapeake, they forced three soldiers to work on their vessel and killed one for treason. Jefferson signed the  Embargo Act of 1807  in response. The legislation stopped America from exporting and importing foreign goods. Jefferson thought this would have the effect of hurting trade in France and Great Britain. It ended up having the opposite effect and did more damage to America. Death After his second term in office, Jefferson retired to his home in Virginia and spent much of his time designing the University of Virginia. Jefferson died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Legacy Jeffersons election marked the beginning of the fall of federalism and the Federalist Party. When Jefferson took over the office from Federalist John Adams, the transfer of power occurred in an orderly manner, setting a precedent for future political transitions. Jefferson took his role as party leader very seriously. His greatest achievement was perhaps the Louisiana Purchase, which more than doubled the size of the United States. Sources Appleby, Joyce Oldham.  Thomas Jefferson. Times Books, 2003.Ellis, Joseph J.  American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson. Alfred A. Knopf, 2005.â€Å"Thomas Jeffersons Family: A Genealogical Chart.† Thomas Jeffersons Monticello.