This post is a bit longer than my usual but to discuss Thomas Jefferson properly it takes a little reading due to his many accomplishments. I am a lover of history and have been for as long as I can remember. The history of the United States is especially interesting considering how it was created. We hear so much about the “Founding Fathers” but in my opinion Thomas Jefferson was the founding father. He accomplished more in his lifetime than a hundred men ever did in their lifetimes. He did as much to create this country than anyone and had a remarkable gift of foresight not equaled since. Please read, understand and appreciate this man like I do.

• At 5, began studying under his cousins tutor.
• At 9, studied the Latin, Greek, and French languages.
• At 14, studied classical literature and additional languages.
• At 16, entered the college of William and Mary.
• At 19, studied Law for five years starting under George Wythe.
• At 23, started his own law practice.
• At 25, was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses.
• At 31, wrote the widely circulated “Summary View of the Rights of British America” and retired from his law practice.
• At 32, was a Delegate to the Second Continental Congress.
• A 33, wrote the Declaration of Independence.
• At 33, took three years to revise Virginia’s legal code and wrote a Public Education bill and a statute for Religious Freedom.
• At 36, was elected the second Governor of Virginia succeeding Patrick Henry.
• At 40, served in Congress for two years.
• At 41, was the American minister to France and negotiated commercial treaties with European nations along with Ben Franklin and John Adams.
• At 46, served as the first Secretary of State under George Washington.
• A 53, served as Vice President and was also elected president of the American Philosophical Society.
• At 55, drafted the Kentucky Resolutions and became the active head of the Republican Party.
• At 57, was elected the third president of the United States.
• At 60, obtained the Louisiana Purchase doubling the size of the nation.
• At 61, was elected to a second term as President.
• At 65, retired to Monticello.
• At 80, helped President Monroe shape the Monroe Doctrine.
• At 81, almost single-handedly created the University of Virginia and served as it’s first president.
• At 83, died on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

John F. Kennedy held a dinner at the White House for a group of the brightest minds in the nation at that time. He made this statement: “This is perhaps the assembly of the most intelligence ever gathered at one time in the White House with the exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone.”

• ” When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe.” Thomas Jefferson

• ” I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.” Thomas Jefferson

• ” My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.” Thomas Jefferson

• ” The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to “Keep and Bear Arms” is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.” Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson also stated in 1802:

“I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property – until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.”

WHERE IS OUR THOMAS JEFFERSON ??