Thomas Jefferson: Statesman, Scientist, Philosopher

Originally published in 1883 as a portion of the author’s larger “Beacon Lights of History, Volume XI: American Founders,” this Kindle edition, equivalent in length to a physical book of approximately 50 pages, describes the life and career of Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence and the third President of the United States.Includes supplemental material:• A Brief Summary of the Life of Thomas Jefferson• About the Declaration of Independence• About the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark ExpeditionSample passage:Even then hopes had not entirely vanished of a reconciliation with Great Britain, but before the close of the year the introduction of German mercenaries to put down the growing insurrection satisfied everybody that there was nothing left to the Colonies but to fight, or tamely submit to royal tyranny. Preparations for military resistance were now made everywhere, especially in Massachusetts, and in Virginia, where Jefferson, who had been obliged by domestic afflictions to leave Congress in December, was most active in raising money for defense, and in inspiring the legislature to set up a State government. When Jefferson again took his seat in Congress, May 13, 1776, he was put upon the committee to draft a Declaration of Independence, composed, as already noted, of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston, besides himself. To him, however, was entrusted by the committee the labor and the honor of penning the draft, which was adopted with trifling revision. He was always very proud of this famous document, and it was certainly effective. Among the ordinary people of America he is, perhaps, better known for this rather rhetorical piece of composition than for all his other writings put together. It was one of those happy hits of genius which make a man immortal—owing, however, no small measure of its fame to the historic importance of the occasion that called it forth. It was publicly read on every Fourth of July celebration for a hundred years. It embodied the sentiments of a great people not disposed to criticism, but ready to interpret in a generous spirit; it had, at the time, a most stimulating effect at home, and in Europe was a revelation of the truth about the feeling in America.About the author:John Lord, LL.D. (1810–1894) was an American historian and a touring lecturer. Other works include “The Old Roman World,” “Ancient States and Empires,” and “Points of History.”