Welcome, little fact-enthusiasts, to take a look at the life and achievements of the Founding Father and the third president of the United States, Thomas Jeffersonđ˛!
From being a notable trendsetter to building a university and being a vital part of the Declaration of Independence, this famous Renaissance man has several important facts to offer!
This article will provide some wonderful facts about Thomas Jefferson that will amaze you!
So now we will begin the fact-finding journey!
Mysterious Thomas Jefferson Facts
Thomas Jefferson: The versatile Founding Father and his birth
Known as the third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson was born in Virginia on April 13, 1743.
He was an American diplomat, statesman, architect đď¸, lawyer, and even philosopher.
He was born at the familyâs Shadwell Plantation in the British Colony of Virginia.
He was the third of ten children. He was born a British subject, and he was of English or probably of Welsh descent!
Peter Jefferson, his father, was a planter and surveyor, and his mother was Jane Randolph.
However, in 1757, Thomasâ father died when he was only fourteen.
Thomas Jeffersonâs greatest work contradicts his origins
Thomas Jefferson was from plantation đł origins. He got it from his parents and his work embraced the culture of slavery.
Jefferson was even a member of the Second Continental Congress or the âCommittee of Five.â
Along with John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingstone, they accomplished some important works.
They made an argument against the rule of the British and Jefferson was offered the task to write the Declaration of Independence!
According to the declaration, all men have inherent liberty after their birth; hence, everyone is equal.
However, his family business is a great contradiction to his works.
Jeffersonâs thirst for learning was quite amazing
I am quite amazed to explore this interesting fact about Thomas Jefferson!
He was always high in learning new things. Along with his regular studies in college, he also had violin lessons!
After receiving the degree in just two years, he studied law đand even became a lawyer!
Due to his wits, he became a member of the Virginia legislature at the Virginia House of Burgesses!
Moreover, he is quite an eloquent speaker not only in English but also in French, Italian, and even Latin languages!
Also, he could even read Greek and Spanish texts. Amazing, isnât it?
Jefferson loved to record everything
Did you know this interesting secret about Jefferson?
After inheriting the Shadwell estate of his family, He started building a new brick mansion on the property called Monticello, meaning âlittle mountainâ in Italian!
For the properties he owned later and operations at Monticello, he was preoccupied with recording all details of his daily routine!
He even jotted down things about his garden, the weather, and the behavior of animals on his property!
He had a running tally of the hogs killed in a year, crop rotations, and even the diet of the enslaved people.
Jefferson didnât like being rewritten
I know, like me, you will be surprised to know this fact about Jefferson!
After drafting the Declaration, Jefferson waited for some time as Congress pored over the document for around two days.
After the session, Jefferson was annoyed to see that they were calling for revision and extensive changes!
He didnât like the fact in the passage that criticized the slave trade was to be omitted.
His irritation was soothed by Benjamin Franklin, and the finished Declaration was adopted on July 4, 1776.
Jefferson even fought pirates
Let me tell you a story about Jefferson!
He responded fiercely to Barbary pirates, a roving band of plunderers from North America who often targeted supply ships and threatened them for ransom in the Mediterranean!
Under Jeffersonâs orders, American warships went to fight with the pirates and not to submit to their demands.
However, the pirates captured a massive American frigate, which was set fire by an American raiding party.
In 1805, a treaty was declared.
However, tensions continued and resulted in the Second Barbary War in 1815. Later, Algerian ships were forced to retreat!
President Jefferson: He doubled the size of the nation
As the countryâs President from 1801 to 1809, he contributed immensely to the Louisiana Purchase.
It was a treaty-slash-transaction with France, and it effectively doubled the size of the United States!
This deal needed careful diplomacy, as the Mississippi River was under the control of France, and this could have huge ramifications on trade movements.
Fortunately, Napoleon Bonaparte wanted to deal, wanting to sale 830,000 square miles, as it would help his armed advances on Europe!
Though he wanted $22 million đ°for this, he settled for $15 million.
However, some critics alleged that the Construction didnât strictly allow this!
Thomas Jefferson bribed a reporter
Have you heard this strange fact about Jefferson?? Let me explain.
Presidential scandals and also dogged newspaper reporters are not a strict dynamic of the 20th or 21st century!
In the 1790s, a reporter, James Callender ran articlesđ° that condemned several politicians, including John Adams and Alexander Hamilton!
In 1801, he even alleged Jefferson of having a relationship with a woman he enslaved, called Sally Hemings!
Callender contacted Jefferson and demanded $200 and a postmasterâs job in exchange for his silence. Disgusted Jefferson gave him $50.
Eventually, Callender announced that Jefferson and Hemings have children together!
Later, he drowned!
Popularity of ice cream in the U.S.: Jefferson contributed in this a lot
Oh! Ice cream!! How much I wish to taste some!
In the 1700s, Jefferson spent time in France and there he came across the dessert delicacy called ice cream!
Later, his frequent serving of this wonderful dish during his time as president contributed a lot to increasing awareness of ice cream!
Jefferson even had special tools and molds imported from France to help his workers make it!!
As there was no refrigeration at the time, those delicacies were kept in ice houses and were served to the guests!
He even left behind the first ice cream recipe in America!
Thomas Jefferson: Meet the inventor within him
I am quite surprised to learn this impressive fact about Jefferson! Want to know?
He used his free time to consider solutions to several issues that followed him in his farmingđ¨âđž endeavors!
Wishing to till soil more efficiently, he and his son-in-law, Thomas Mann Randolph created a plow that could navigate hills!
Also, he tinkered with a method of improving a dumbwaiter, the elevator, which used to deliver several goods, including food from one floor to another.
Jefferson had a pet mockingbird
Love birds? Then you will surely love this fact!
Prior to the American Revolution, Jefferson liked mockingbirds.
He even brought this affection to the White House, which was filled with their melodious songs!
However, he was the only one who was affectionate toward one specific mockingbird, whom he named DickđŚ!
Dick was allowed to roam Jeffersonâs perch or office on his shoulder! When Jefferson played violin, Dick would sing with him.
Dick and his co-workers followed Jefferson back to Monticello in 1809.
Jefferson: He was a shabby dresser
Have you heard this interesting fact about Jefferson? No? Let me explain.
As a president, Jefferson offended some in Washington who preferred that the president must be a polished social host and must be dressed impeccably!
While many believed he must use a carriage, Jefferson rode a horse and dressed in comfortable and plain clothes!
Also, he acknowledged just two official White House celebrations per year; the New Yearâs Day and the 4th of July.
Jefferson was served with a subpoena
Long before Richard landed in hot water, Jefferson resisted attempts to force him to testify in court!
In 1807, the matter unraveled, when James Wilkinson said that he had sent Jefferson a letter telling him about Aaron Burrâs plot to invade Mexico!
Government attorneys wished Jefferson to appear with the letter.
However, the president said that the nation would be left without leadership if he went to answer the subpoena, and hence, refused to appear!
Jeffersonâs wife Martha Wavles: She had a strange connection to Sally Hemings
Jefferson married Martha Wayles, and they remained husband and wife for just ten years before Martha died at the age of 33 in 1782 due to unknown causes!
Jeffersonâs involvement with Sally Hemings was part of the convoluted family tree of Martha.
Her father, John Wayles, had a relationship with Hemingsâ mother, Elizabeth Hemings.
Thus, most historians believe that Martha and Sally were half-sisters!
Jefferson was an early wine connoisseur
I am really surprised to explore this surprising fact about the third president of the U.S.A!
Centuries prior to wine appreciation becoming a national pastime, Jefferson was quite busy accumulating an impressive wineđˇ cellar!
His love for the drink coincided with his France trip.
There he experienced the various textures and tastes of the drink.
He kept a well-stocked collection at Monticello and even tried to grow his own European grapes. However, he did not succeed.
Jefferson harvested opium
At the garden in Monticello, Jefferson grew more than 300 different kinds of flowers, crops, and other sprouts.
Among them, there was Papaver somniferum or the poppy seed that may be used to make opioid drugs.
Quite common in his time, the plant is now under a good amount of scrutiny.
Also, in the year 1991, the estate was forced to pull up its remaining crop. Quite interesting, isnât it?
Jefferson probably had a fear of public speaking
Jefferson was largely free to get controlled by his reported phobia of speaking in public!
While working as a lawyer, Jefferson found that it was quite difficult to deliver orated arguments as eloquently as he could write them!
When he could speak, it was probably with a meek disposition!
One listener to his speech addressed Jeffersonâs speech in 1801 as being in âso low a tone that few heard it.â
The Library of Congress: Jefferson sold a lot of books there
Love to read books and go to libraries? Then you will definitely love this wonderful secret about Jefferson!
Being a voracious reader, Thomas Jefferson was dismayed when the War of 1812 led to the British forces burning the Capitol in Washington!
This even reduced its 3000-volume library of books đ to nothing.
Thus, to help, Jefferson sold Congress his entire personal library of 6707 titles for $23,950.
In 1815, the sale was finalized, and the books were sent by wagon to Washington from Virginia.
Jeffersonâs shocking action: He shocked others by eating a tomato
Jeffersonâs different kinds of crops included what was quite unique at that time!
He grew tomatoes when consuming tomatoes was not so common in Virginia!
According to one account from 1900, he appalled some onlookers by consuming a tomatođ in front of people. Sounds interesting, right??
The University of Virginia: Jefferson helped this institution
Being a strong supporter of education, he helped the University of Virginia quite actively!
He started planning the resources for a state university in Virginia đď¸ during his presidential term.
He helped the institution by writing to the Virginia House of Delegates that a college must not be solely a house but a âvillage.â
He even arranged funding, provided design ideas, and even helped shepherd the University of Virginia in March 1825 toward its formal opening!
However, though being famous as the âfounding fatherâ of the schoolđ˛, his works were not always welcomed!
Summing up
Thomas Jefferson and the fascinating facts about himâŚâŚarenât they interesting đ!!
Hope you liked our efforts of enhancing your knowledge archiveđ˛!!
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