PRESIDENTS DAY
Born: April 13, 1743 in Albermarle County, Virginia.
Education: He studied at the College of William and Mary.
Occupation: Lawyer, writer, public official. Talented in music, languages, science, architecture; interested in education and philosophy. Founded the University of Virginia; designed its buildings as well as his own home, Monticello.
Regligion: No formal affiliation.
Family life: In 1772 he married Martha Wayles Skelton, a widow, and took her to live in his partly constructed mountaintop home, Monticello. They had six children; only two daughters survived infancy. Martha passed away on September 6, 1782.
Political career: Became early leader in Revolution; in Virginia House of Burgesses,1769-74; attended Continental Congress. Author of the Declaration of Independence, 1776. Governor of Virginia and diplomat for the new United States government; Washington's secretary of state, 1790-93. Vice-president under Adams.
Highlights of his presidency: Authorized the Louissiana Purchase, attacked the Barbary Pirates with naval forces. Forced the Embargo Act through Congress as a measure against the British and French, who were at war.
Appearance: Tall and slender 6 fett 2 inches tall with reddish-blond hair.
Died: Jefferson retired to Monticello where he died on July 4, 1826.
Buried: Thomas Jefferson's grave is on his estate at Monticello, outside Charlottesville, Virginia.
