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'''Thomas Jefferson''' (1743-1826) was the third [[President of the United States of America]] and often credited as the author of the [[Declaration of Independence]], though key portions of that document were simply taken from the [[Virginia Declaration of Rights]].  

'''Thomas Jefferson''' (1743-1826) was the third [[President of the United States of America]] and often credited as the author of the [[Declaration of Independence]], although he had considerable input from [[John Adams]].

 

Jefferson was a prominent architect, inventor and scientist.  His presidency had significant failures, but is best known for doubling the area of the United States with the controversial [[Louisiana Purchase]] from France.

Jefferson was a prominent architect, inventor and scientist.  Jefferson, along with [[James Madison]], was a member of the [[Democratic-Republican Party]], an early political group that was opposed by the [[Federalist Party]]. His presidency had significant failures, but is best known for doubling the area of the United States with the then controversial [[Louisiana Purchase]] from [[France]].

 

Many liberal textbooks and online resources claim that Jefferson was a [[deist]],<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Deist_thinkers</ref> but Jefferson's own description of his views show more complexity.

Many liberal textbooks and online resources claim that Jefferson was a [[deist]],<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Deist_thinkers</ref> but Jefferson's own description of his views show more complexity.

<blockquote>God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that his justice cannot sleep forever.</blockquote>

<blockquote>God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that his justice cannot sleep forever.</blockquote>

Jefferson's Second Inaugural Address implied that, unlike [[deists]], he believed in divine intervention: "I shall need, too, the favor of that Being in whose hands we are, who led our forefathers, as Israel of old."

Jefferson's Second Inaugural Address implied that, unlike [[deists]], he believed in divine intervention:<blockquote>"I shall need, too, the favor of that Being in whose hands we are, who led our forefathers, as Israel of old."</blockquote>

In an 1803 letter to Dr. Benjamin Rush, Jefferson declared that "I am a Christian," though his view of [[Christianity]] was different from most:

In an 1803 letter to Dr. Benjamin Rush, Jefferson declared that "I am a Christian," though his view of [[Christianity]] was different from most:

<blockquote>There will be found remaining the most sublime and benevolent code of morals which has ever been offered to man.<ref>http://www.cooperativeindividualism.org/jefferson_m_03.html</ref></blockquote>

<blockquote>There will be found remaining the most sublime and benevolent code of morals which has ever been offered to man.<ref>http://www.cooperativeindividualism.org/jefferson_m_03.html</ref></blockquote>

Jefferson died on July 4th, [[Independence Day]], in 1826.  It was the same day as the death of [[John Adams]].  While rivals during their time in government, they started writing personal letters to each other in later life.

Jefferson died on July 4th, [[Independence Day]], in 1826.  It was the same day as the death of [[John Adams]].  While rivals during their time in government, they started writing personal letters to each other in later life.