Thomas Jefferson’s Biography

Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743, in Shadwell, Virginia. He accomplished multiple things throughout his life that would change the shape of America. Jefferson has held many titles in government such as being the secretary of state, vice president, and president Jefferson was born into a powerful family in Virginia, both of his parents were very important with his mother coming from royalty, and his father a successful farmer, surveyor, and cartographer who made a map of the Province of Virginia. Jefferson was the 3rd child of 10 kids. Even at a young age, Jefferson got an education, and in 1760 he attended at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg. After 3 years Jefferson chose to study in Law, and after 5 years of he became one of the most known lawyers in America. On January 1, 1772, he married Martha Wayles Skelton wealthy women in Virginia. They had 6 children yet only 2 of them made it to adulthood.

Jefferson’s political legacy started after the French and Indian War(1763) Leaving Great Britain in financial difficulties. To raise money Britain imposed new taxes on its colonies in America. The taxes angered colonists which started the American Revolution and the famous slogan, "No taxation without representation!" The revolution began on April 19, 1775, and Jefferson became one of the first and most loyal supporters of the revolution against Great Britain. He was elected to the Virginia House Of Burgesses in 1768 and joined its group led by Patrick Henry and George Washington. In 1775, Jefferson went to the Second Continental Congress where the Continental Army was formed, Washington was assigned commander-in-chief. While the more important work from Congress was given to Jefferson.

In June 1776, Congress appointed 5 people to draft a Declaration Of Independence. The group gave Jefferson the honor of creating the first draft. In 17 days he created the Declaration Of Independence, one of the most important documents in US history declaring independence from Britain. He included the rights of all human beings and the ending of King George III rule over the colonies in America. His first draft went through multiple edits, but his famous words remain "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights; that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." After finishing with the Declaration Of Independence he returned to Virginia where he served as a member of Virginia House Of Delegates for 3 years.

In 1777 he made freedom of religion, but it was not truly a Virginia state law until 9 years. It was still one of his biggest accomplishments.