Jefferson

(Thomas), American statesman, b. Shad well, Virginia, 2 April 1743. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1767. He became a member of the House of Burge es, 1769–75. In 1774 he published his Summary Views of the Rights of British-Americans . He drafted and reported to Congre the “Declaration of Independence” which was unanimously adopted, 4 July 1766. He was Governor of Virginia from 1719 to 1781, and originated a system of education in the State. He was Amba ador to Paris from 1785–89, secretary of state from 1789–93, vice-president 1791–1801 and third president of the United States 1801–9. In ’19 he founded the University of Virginia, of which he was rector till his death, 4 July 1826. Dr. J. Thomas in his Dictionary of Biography says “In religion he was what is denominated a freethinker.” He spoke in old age of “the hocus-pocus phantom of God, which like another Cerberus had one body and three heads.” See his life by J. Parton.