Thomas Jefferson: What You Need to Know

Thomas Jefferson was the 3rd president of the Unites States and the first to be inaugurated in the capital city of Washington DC. Jefferson is known for writing the majority of the Declaration of Independence, authorizing the Louisiana Purchase, and sending the Lewis and Clark Expedition to explore the new territory.

Jefferson was a member of the Democratic-Republican party, which famously supported states' rights and was against "big government." However, Jefferson arguably strengthened the federal government more than any other president. The Louisiana Purchase bought land from France in 1803 and more than doubled the size of the United States.

Jefferson sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the newly purchased territory with the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The two men were led by Sacagawea and greatly expanded the knowledge of the Louisiana Territory. Click here for an expedition timeline.

Jefferson infamously had an affair and fathered a child with one of his house slaves, Sally Hemmings. Jefferson died on July 4, 1826, on the same day as John Adams. This was also the 50th anniversary as the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

For a brief essay on Thomas Jefferson's life, click here.