The best thomas jefferson biography

Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13th in the then-colony of Virginia. The third of 10 children, Jefferson had three brothers and no less than six sisters. His father was a planter and surveyor, and while Jefferson’s family were not among the elite landholders of the region, both his grandfather and great-grandfather held public office within the colonies.

Jefferson was born a British citizen but ultimately became one of America’s Founding Fathers and a principal author of the Declaration of Independence.

Jefferson was the first Secretary of State, the second vice president of the United States—serving under both George Washington and John Adams—and the third president.

As president, Jefferson oversaw the Louisiana Purchase and helped to protect America’s shipping lanes against Barbary pirates. Today, many historians also believe that Jefferson, who famously wrote that “all men are created equal” also fathered several children with his slave