The reason America is what it is today, in some part, is due to the contributions of Thomas Jefferson.  He chose to stand against tyranny and for this reason he had to fight the many attacks on his life.  Thomas Jefferson is someone that helped start the wheels of freedom rolling.

Thomas was born to a wealthy family in Albermarle County, Virginia in April, 1743.  He was from one of the finest families in Virginia but didn’t use his family name to gain anything.  He attended William and Mary College from 1760-1762.  He focused on science, mathematics, rhetoric, philosophy, literature, and law.  In 1767, he was admitted to the Virginia Bar, during this time he was considered “one of the nation’s best legal minds.”(Thomas Jefferson)  He was not a great public speaker but a compelling writer which would help him become to one of best known writers of the Declaration of Independence. (White House)

After he was elected to the Second Continental Congress, he was one of the five that was picked to write the Declaration.  This is one of the greatest known works of Thomas Jefferson but this was not all that he had accomplished.  Thomas Jefferson was instrumental in obtaining the Louisiana Purchase, which helped double the size of America.  He was also responsible for helping to create our monetary system.

After 2 presidential terms and founding the University of Virginia, On July 4, 1826, Thomas Jefferson died on the 50 anniversary of the signing of the Declaration.  One question comes to mind… would we still be under the British tyranny or the freedom that we all enjoy today?  It is important to understand the part that was played by Thomas Jefferson during this exciting and trying time in American history.