(b. April 13, 1743; d. July 4, 1826) Third president of the United States (1801–1809).

Thomas Jefferson was among the preeminent founders of the United States, advocating strong states' rights and separation of church and state. He drafted the Declaration of Independence, founded the University of Virginia, served as governor of Virginia, minister to France, secretary of state, vice president (1796–1800), and finally president (1801–1809). Although he was never in the military, war nevertheless tested Jefferson's philosophy and political will.

Jefferson was a highly idealistic and complex individual; he believed and argued for a small and weak federal government, strong states' rights, a conservative reading of the Constitution, and peaceful means to end conflict. He drafted the inspiring "all men are created equal" words of the Declaration of Independence. However, he constantly agonized over the details of these ideals and, in practice, contradicted himself for the benefit of the new nation and his...