Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) served as the third President of the United States from 1801 to 1809. He is the principal author of the Declaration of Independence (1776), a document that articulated the American colonies' right to self-governance. As President, Jefferson orchestrated the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, which doubled the size of the United States, and commissioned the Lewis and Clark Expedition to explore the newly acquired territory. Additionally, Jefferson founded the University of Virginia in 1819, emphasizing a secular education system. His commitment to architecture is evident in his design of Monticello, his Virginia estate. Jefferson's contributions to America's formative years remain pivotal in the nation's history.