Member Of Congress, Secretary Of State, Vice President And President Of The United States

Unlikely Democrat.

Thomas Jefferson, the Founding Father most associated with the democratic ideals that have become the basis of American society, was an unlikely champion of democracy. This slaveowning Virginia aristocrat was most definitely not one of the common people, but he put his faith in the power of reason, science, and education to enlighten the common people so that they could be trusted with the political power to establish a democratic republic that would protect "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

Early Career.

Thomas Jefferson was born on 13 April 1743 at Shadwell, his family's farm in Albemarle County, Virginia. His father, Peter Jefferson, was a selfmade man, a slaveowning planter, surveyor, mapmaker, justice of the peace, and member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. His mother, Jane Randolph Jefferson, was...