Photo Courtesy: Wikipedia

By K.P. Sander

Thomas Jefferson was a remarkable fellow, and one who surely made an indelible impression on the fate and future of our great nation.

Born on Apr. 13, 1743 in Shadwell, Virginia, Jefferson was not only the third President of the United States, the initial author of the Declaration of Independence, but was also a member of Congress, and the first U.S. Secretary of State – serving under President George Washington.  Other notable appointments included Governor of Virginia, organizer of the Democratic-Republican Party (with close friend James Madison), and Vice President under the administration of John Adams.

Photo Courtesy: Wikipedia

The Declaration of Independence is considered one of Jefferson’s most significant achievements.  The preamble – “All men are created equal” – has been considered one of the best-known sentences in the English language, and is an enduring statement on human rights, containing “the most potent and consequential words in American history.”  Abraham Lincoln based his entire philosophy on it, and it has become the passage representing a moral standard for generations the world over.

According to Wikipedia, Jefferson coordinated the acquisition of the vast Louisiana Territory from France in 1803, and in 1804, sent explorers Lewis and Clark out on their first expedition to the new west.  Under his presidency, Jefferson doubled the size of the United States.

Personally, Jefferson was a polymath, with expertise in a myriad of subjects including science, law, art and politics.  He was proficient in architecture, and designed his beautiful home, Monticello, in Virginia.  He was a skilled writer, and also conversant in French, Spanish, Italian, Greek and Latin.  Jefferson was so interested in linguistics that it led him to found the University of Virginia.

Jefferson married the widow, Martha Skelton, in 1771.  They were third cousins, and reportedly had a very happy marriage, based on a mutual love of music and a wide variety of personal accomplishments.  They had six children in their ten year union, but only two – Martha and Mary – survived to adulthood.

Martha suffered from diabetes and just months after the birth of her last child, succumbed to illness in 1782.  Jefferson was said to be completely distraught and mourned her greatly.  He never remarried.

Interestingly enough, Jefferson openly opposed slavery throughout his life although he owned hundreds of slaves and freed just a few.  There is evidence that after Jefferson’s wife passed away – perhaps for companionship – he had a long-term relationship with Sally Hemings, one of his slaves, and was said to have fathered her children.

Jefferson took the oath of Presidential office on Mar. 4, 1801, and served two terms; he is considered one of the greatest presidents of our time.

On July 3, 1826, extremely ill from toxemia and pneumonia, Jefferson called his family and friends to his bedside and said, “I have done for my country, and for all mankind, all that I could do, and I now resign my soul, without fear, to my God, – my daughter to my country.”  He was 83.

After falling asleep, he woke later that night and asked his doctor, “Is it the fourth yet?”  Jefferson held out until 12:50 p.m. on the Fourth of July – the 50^th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.  He is buried at Monticello.