Thomas Jefferson

Life/Liberty: Our Sacred Honor

Thomas Jefferson is by most accounts the most admired and greatest fig Thomas Jefferson is by most accounts the most admired and greatest fig ure in American history. However, he was a man whose behavior in many ure in American history. However, he was a man whose behavior in many ways contradicted his public declarations. He supported resistance and ways contradicted his public declarations. He supported resistance and revolution in America and France, yet was not a charismatic politicia revolution in America and France, yet was not a charismatic politicia n or front-line soldier. His eloquence was immortalized in the Declara n or front-line soldier. His eloquence was immortalized in the Declara tion of Independence, which declared that "All men are created equal." tion of Independence, which declared that "All men are created equal." He disapproved of the slave trade, yet owned over 200 human beings an He disapproved of the slave trade, yet owned over 200 human beings an d had no intention of granting them their freedom. A Renaissance man i d had no intention of granting them their freedom. A Renaissance man i n his own right, Jefferson was an architect, writer, surveyor, statesm n his own right, Jefferson was an architect, writer, surveyor, statesm an and scientist. In part 1 of Ken Burns' biographical portrait of Tho an and scientist. In part 1 of Ken Burns' biographical portrait of Tho mas Jefferson, Jefferson's beginnings in Virginia are detailed from hi mas Jefferson, Jefferson's beginnings in Virginia are detailed from hi s education at William & Mary, the building of Monticello, to his marr s education at William & Mary, the building of Monticello, to his marr iage and children. Jefferson is called to Philadelphia as a statesman, iage and children. Jefferson is called to Philadelphia as a statesman, and to Paris after the American revolution as an official diplomat. W and to Paris after the American revolution as an official diplomat. W hile Jefferson was laying the foundations of a new government and coun hile Jefferson was laying the foundations of a new government and coun try, his work was tragically interrupted by a series of personal losse try, his work was tragically interrupted by a series of personal losse s at his Monticello home. s at his Monticello home.