Biography on Thomas Jefferson - Term Paper Example

?THOMAS JAFFERSON A LIFE OR LIVES INTRODUCTION: Thomas Jefferson’s life was full of marvels and achievements of all kinds. He was a person who had a right to be called “Master of all trades”, for he had his achievements in almost all of the fields of study. His personality covered the traits of more than just one person, almost half a dozen people rolled into 1 single man (Weymouth, 1973). He was a politician, scientist, architect, diplomat, author of many renowned books, and a promoter of freedom and independence, but he still wished to be remembered for three of his important achievements in his public life rather than all the political posts he had possessed. He wanted to be remembered for the things people owed to him. His tombstone, which he designed for himself, read,” Here was buried author of declaration of American Independence, of the statute of Virginia for religious Freedom, and father of university of Virginia, Born April 2, 1743 O.S. Died July 4. 1826”, (Irelan,1888). Though, historians wanted to attach other triumphs as well, such as his expertise in linguistics, his distinction as an architect and an environmentalist, but readers of his life are well concurred with his own assessment.(Risjord,1994). MAJOR IDEAS: Thomas Jefferson promoted many philosophical theories such as natural rights, constitutionalism, which automatically leads to justice and democracy. He was a person who believed in equitable distribution of land. One of the major ideas of Jefferson were emphasizing on education’s importance in democracy. He extended the structure of educational system to four stages i.e., elementary school, grammar school, universities and lifelong learning. Jefferson was always known for his huge collection of books throughout the history. When the British burned the Library of Congress during the war in 1812, Jefferson was offered $23,950 for his 6000 volume library, which he agreed upon and sold. His uncountable efforts towards the development of educational sector are commendable. In 1819, he pressurized the Virginia legislature to employ a commission for the need of a university in the state. In 1825, University of Virginia was located in Charlottesville and accepted its first set of students in the year 1826. Thomas Jefferson took great pains for the establishment of University of Virginia. He not only designed the building and the whole campus himself, but also developed the syllabus and hired competent educationist at that time. He also coined the term aristocracy of merit, which signifies the importance of certain group of people who have unique tendencies. According to this, rewards are allocated to the best or those who have talents can rule the world.(Demille, ) Unfortunately, Jefferson’s view of education was limited to the Whites of the society. He also preached about the equality among human beings although he was one of the largest slaveholder, so apparently he excluded blacks or at least his own slaves from the territory of being considered as a human (Massner, 2008) He held an opinion that the states legislature should be the most powerful area due to this he was interested in writing the constitution of the state. EARLY LIFE Albemarle County Virginia, which was then called, Shadwell, was Jefferson’s birth place. He was born on 2nd April in the year of 1743. Thomas was Peter Jefferson and Jane Rudolph’s third child and eldest of the three sons. From Peter he inherited his energetic body and a love of mathematical subjects and a mind to formulate new ways of success and independence. After Peter’s death, Thomas was left with 5 acres of land and an established position and respect in the community (Malone, 1993). Due to his father’s inclination towards education, he had an opportunity of getting an excellent tutoring. He went to boarding schools and thus, excelled in languages. He took classes in William and Mary College at the age of seventeen in Virginia, where his majors were mathematics, science, philosophy, literature, rhetoric. He went to study law when he was admitted in bar of Virginia, in the year of 1767. He was considered as a lawyer by the thought, having a very sharp legal mentality. He was athletic, though of slim figure, and enjoyed horse riding and shooting. (Morse, 1897). During, his student life, he was deeply influenced by William Small, who was the chairman of department of mathematics at William and Marry college. He provoked many scientific questions in his mind, as well as introduced him to Governor Francis and to George Wythe (Malone, 1993), the two very prominent teachers in law school. During these years, he had a great social life among the people of his age. Though, he was not very physically attractive in his teen years, but he had a sunny disposition and a gay personality, which attracted youngsters towards him. In the year following 1764, conventional religion lost him as the follower and he started applying hypothetical historical tests to Bible. This turned him into a great author. Though, his fame for his authorship began to reach beyond Virginia’s limit, when he wrote summary view of the rights of British America. He argued against Colonial allegiance to king, and raised voice that it should be voluntary and an individual’s own decision. He disliked the bar when he joined in 1767, but still was a successful lawyer until he left it as a profession on the revolution eve. From 1769 to 1775, he was chosen as a member of House of Burgesses. County Lieutenant of Albemarle’s post was given him in 1770 (Malone, 1993). MARRIAGE In 1772, He married Martha Skelton, who was a beautiful widow of Bathrust Skelton. She bore him six children during their ten years of married life. Four of his children died in infancy and only two saw the beauties of adulthood. He was owner of at least 10 thousand acres of land and around 200 slaves during his life. IMPORTANT WORKS His most important aspect of life, was drafting of Declaration of independence in 1776. Although, Jefferson himself was interested in writing the state’s constitution, he was assigned to write the drafts according to the considerations of five person committee for drafting a declaration of independence. Benjamin Franklin and John Adams revised and amended the drafts, which Thomas wrote. Thomas was somewhat possessive and also proud of his writing. He objected when a clause was censored due to the reason that King George III was held responsible for slave trade. (Miller,1977). Although, the clause was deleted, the criticism was so real that many states started ending slavery, following the separation from Great Britain. (Barton, 2012) Declaration of Independence was often criticized due to the reason that Jefferson owned around 200 slaves on his plantation and he still believed that all men are equal and have equal rights of liberty. At one time, Thomas was condemned of being a president of African Americans, This does not mean that he loved Negros or had any sympathy with them. Timothy Pickering, who was a politician from Massachusetts, Stated that Thomas entered into presidency on the shoulders of his slaves who were already his captives by birth. In 1778 and 1779, as a second governor of Virginia, passes bills in Virginia legislature that meant to eradicate slavery, his efforts didn’t work out though and his measures weren’t successful (Barton, 2012). In 1781, British army enforced Jefferson to leave the government unattended. Due to Britain invasion, Jefferson reputation as a governor was ruined and he was never elected from Virginia again. From 1785 till 1789, he was appointed as a minister to France and therefore, supported France in 1793 when the war was declared among two countries. Notes on state of Virginia were basically a response letter to a French delegation to America answering their questions. In 1782, he started working on the queries and questionnaires which he received as a governor into a book, in which he aimed to answer the meaning of freedom for American people in regard to British empowerment, and the basic rights of Virginian people for trade and common day affairs. He used examples of British colonial membership to emphasize on his natural right theory. He also intended to bring changes in the fundamental law of the state, which affected the future of Virginia. The change in law under which people were compelled to obey law willingly, and its implications would be bearable and justified for all. He wanted to eliminate the death penalty, except in the case of murder but his efforts went in vain as minimum changes were seen in constitutional law and rape punishment remained death.(Jefferson, Waldstreicher, 2002). Jefferson, during his residency; worked very hard towards the establishment of education as he himself spoke five languages and took keen interest in science. Due to his efforts in 1779, George Wythe was allotted a position in Williams and Mary College as a law professor. In 1784, he represented from Virginia in the Confederation Congress and there he submitted a report which later became the foundation of Northwest Ordinance and its solution towards establishment. Jefferson became the sectary of United States in 1790 and become an influential man in Congress. He was a republican representative and a supporter of France. He resigned in 17 due to some bitter issue with Hamilton (Secretary of Treasury). After his resignation he returned to his land in Monticello to lean to his lifelong passion. (Malone, 1993) Due to Madison’s presidential campaign for Jefferson, he participated in elections and as a runner up became the vice president in 1797. In the following year, he wrote a book for the sake of order and peace in the Senate which was called “A manual of Parliamentary procedure”. As he was a huge supporter of educational programs therefore, he was elected as a third president for the American Philosophical Society.(Barton, 2012) The Virginia and Kentucky resolution was a protest against civil liberties. It was written by Jefferson and Madison after the Alien and Sedition acts in 1798, as an objection. Both Jefferson and Madison remained anonymous for almost 25 years. (Burt, 2001) Jefferson bluntly criticized the tactics of Federalist and believed that they had no right to exercise power at such extent. The courts and governments were full of federalist therefore, Jefferson despised them. Peaceful transition of presidency from Adam to Jefferson happened in the year 1801. The purchase of Louisiana territory by Jefferson from the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte doubled the size of America in 1803. The total worth of the land was $15 million which came down to 4 cent an acre. In Louisiana Territory, Jefferson took special interest in establishing good relations with native Indian tribes therefore, he appointed Lewis for the sake of surveillance and to find a way to travel pacific with ease. After the death of his daughter, Jefferson falls in depression and writes his believes towards religion which he names as The philosophy of Jesus in 1804. It was a blend of large sections of four Gospels. The more refined version on this book was published by congress in 1820, by the name of “life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth” which disagrees with none of the theology.(Risjord,1994) In 1807, congress passes Embargo act, which was developed by Jefferson, according to which all the trade among Britain and USA would come to a stop. Its aftermaths were devastating for the American economy. This was a severe blow for Jefferson after which he went back to Monticello. (Risjord,1994) COMPARISON BETWEEN DIFFERENT AUTHOR’S VIEW: Some of the authors as Leonard Levy tried to show a darker side of Jafferson’s personality as well. Levy exposed Jefferson’s lack of interest in basic civil liberations, his self uprightness that was almost brutal for others; his face behind the mantle of libertarianism was exposed by Levy. He said that historians created a shallow image of Libertarianism and made him a saint, although he had a lot of examples that depicted his darker nature.(Levy, 1963) Jefferson also owned approximately 187 slaves and his views related to slavery were rather controversial till date. While his vision about slavery changed, with the passage of time and he became the foremost challenger of the international slave trade in 1809, and signed the act prohibiting importation of slaves. Many historians have criticized Jefferson as he made an effort against importation of slaves and civil liberties for all, but his actions never showed the neutral behavior towards his slaves either. He never freed any slave during his life only Sally Hemings his wife’s half sister was freed after his death. He even wrote in his philosophical book that all men were created equally (Alexander, 2010). Samuel Johnson, also jibe about this attitude of Jefferson, He stated that the loudest songs of freedom and liberty were sang by a person who was driver of Negros, who bought, bred and flogged slaves all his life and never able to free all his slave. (Jefferson , Adams&Braden,2006) According to William W. Freeling, Jafferson was unable to see freed blacks living with white in America, he always emphasized that their emancipation should follow their expulsion from the country as well.( Freeling, 1971). Though, his attitude towards blacks was due to the fear of racism, he had no shame or regret on his approach of possessiveness of white blood mingling with that of Indians. .According to Wills, 2003, Jefferson still believed in equality even though he kept Negros as the slaves, he was trapped in a kind of a system where he had to defend the evil and go along with it (Wills, 2003). Jefferson never remarried after his wife’s death and thus keeping Sally Heming, his slave, for sexual contact. She produced six to seven children which are also a disputable matter but Jefferson completely denied any association with them. Two of her children ran away for freedom and the rest were freed by Jefferson. He also made some provisions for her in his will. (Gordon, 1997). James Calendar (1802) accused him of being a common wrongdoer as his class. Jefferson’s attitude towards Sally was unbelievable for people who considered him high and mighty. Although, he was a man who indulged in passions with boldness and great pride and also at times suppressed them. Relationship with his slave story might be false, but at least this much is true that he ruled a house where a team of black slaves, who were born with same rights of freedom and equality he preached about, obeyed his each and every order. This was an attitude which was morally repugnant for him. Massner states that Jefferson was not only depended on his property, but also on his slaves and he could not manage such a vast property on his own, so he kept them but preached others to leave them on their own. (Massner,2008) Bernard Bailyn says that his reactions toward European morals were bold as well as high minded and he was stereotypical in nature, but an enlightened one at that. (Bailyn,1993) ARCHITECTURE AND JAFFERSON Jefferson never received any education relating to art or architecture formally. Due to his inborn passion and highly assembled library which consisted of several copies of Palladio’s Quattro, he learnt the trait. Yet his passions lead him to create and design for the world to remember his skill. His thorough study of Palladio’s architectural theories introduced him to the ancient architectural designs of Rome. Which glimmered power through their structure and following their lead, Jefferson designed many civic buildings in a neo-Roman style. After acting as a minister of France and observing their classical designs. He also designed his suite and many houses in Monticello; the basic inspiration for it was aspired from French architectural design. It adjoined 4 rooms together and was a trend setter back then. He redesigned his whole state and after that designed Virginia Capitol and University of Virginia. He also contributed in the city plan of Washington, D.C with Pierre Charles. An inspiring fact about Jefferson is that he designed his own tombstone and the epitaph engraved on it never mentioned him being a president. His modest and scholarly side only wanted to show his achievements related to education and constitution.( Wills, 2008) In 1826, he became sick and died on 4th July at the age of 83, the same day as John Adams. (Risjord, 1994) IMPLICATION FOR TODAY’S TEACHERS: Jefferson stated that with proper teaching, person is able to vote for wise and worthy. He not only stated the words, but gave them a life by developing proper stages of educational systems, which extended from primary school to lifelong learning. He implied that learning is a process by which a person gets adapted in different stages. In primary schools, a child moves to a concrete operational stage and is able to see the logic in everything, but he is still unable to manipulate larger concepts so the content and methods should be developed according to the mentality development. Jefferson also implied that this education system should be within walking distance for the students as well as it should be free. The key to leadership education is that it should be individualized; teaching should support the development of a soul who is selfless and gracious. Monitoring and training are two other essential elements in student life. Children and Adolescents need to be continuously monitored and counseled for their behaviors. Group discussions and tutoring, lecturing and testing all are fundamentals of teaching and motivate students. (Demille, 2006) CONCLUSION: Thomas’s life was full of enlightenment when almost every continent was preaching oppression and prejudice. The lesson to be learnt from his life is that there is always room for improvements among individuals and also in government, though we make mistakes. These mistakes increase our experience. His life had a little essence of two types of personalities; a courageous politician and a ruined dictator at the same time. He was not pure as saint as few biographers paint him, but his life teaches us all the same. Bibliography: Wills, C. (2008). Thomas Jefferson, architect: The interactive portfolio. Philadelphia: Running Press. Gordon-Reed, A. (1997). Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings: An American controversy. Charlottesville (Va.) [etc.: University Press of Virginia. Top of Form Alexander, L. M., & Rucker, W. C. (2010). Encyclopedia of African American history. Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO.Bottom of Form Jefferson, T., & Waldstreicher, D. (2002). Notes on the State of Virginia: With related documents. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins. Top of Form Burt, D. S. (2001). The biography book: A reader's guide to nonfiction, fictional, and film biographies of more than 500 of the most fascinating individuals of all time. Westport, CT: Oryx Press. Bottom of Form Top of Form Barton, D. (2012). The Jefferson lies: Exposing the myths you've always believed about Thomas Jefferson. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.Bottom of Form Top of Form Wills, G. (2003). Negro president: Jefferson and the slave power. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. Freeling W. (1971). The founding Fathers and Slaver.Santa Barbra.ABC-CLIO Bottom of Form Top of FormMiller, J. C. (1977). The wolf by the ears: Thomas Jefferson and slavery. New York: Free Press. Bottom of Form Top of Form Malone, D., & Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation, Inc. (1993). Thomas Jefferson: A brief biography. S.l.: Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation. Top of Form Levy, L. W. (1963). Jefferson & civil liberties: The darker side. Cambridge, Mass: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press. Top of Form DeMille, O. V., DeMille, R. P., & Jeppson, D. (2006). A Thomas Jefferson education home companion. Cedar City, UT: George Wythe College Press. Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Risjord, N. K. (1994). Thomas Jefferson. Madison, Wis: Madison House. Top of Form Weymouth, L. (1973). Thomas Jefferson: The man, his world, his influence. New York: G.P. Putnam. Top of Form Morse, J. T. (1897). Thomas Jefferson. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin.Bottom of FormBottom of FormBottom of FormBottom of Form Top of Form Irelan, J. R. (1888). History of the life, administration, and times of Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States: American independence and the political development of the Republic. Chicago: Fairbanks and Palmer Top of Form Bailyn, B., Paret, P., & American Philosophical Society. (1993). Two lectures on Thomas Jefferson. Princeton, N.J: Institute for Advanced Study. Bottom of Form Read More