Books About Thomas Jefferson

Notable Thomas Jefferson Quotes

"A Bill of Rights is what the people are entitled to against every government, and what no just government should refuse, or rest on inference."

"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent."

"Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty."

"Believe me, dear Sir: there is not in the British empire a man who more cordially loves a union with Great Britain than I do. But, by the God that made me, I will cease to exist before I yield to a connection on such terms as the British Parliament propose; and in this, I think I speak the sentiments of America." (said on November 29, 1775)

The Only President to...

He was also one of only two presidents to have signed the Declaration of Independence (the other was John Adams).

Interesting Thomas Jefferson Facts

Thomas Jefferson was not comfortable with public speaking due at least partially to the fact that he spoke with a lisp. He preferred to do his talking with a pen. During his time as president, he dispensed with the practice of deliverying the State of the Union Address in person and instead submitted it in writing.

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Although Thomas Jefferson was considered brilliant as president and indeed was the author of the Declaration of Independence, he apparently was not a very good money manager. After his presidency, his debts began to pile up to the point that his friends secretly began to raise money to bail him out. It still wasn't enough. Upon his death, he was more than $1 million in debt in today's money.

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Thomas Jefferson was once given a 1,235-pound hunk of cheese, which is where the term "The Big Cheese" comes from.

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Thomas Jefferson died 50 years to the day of the approval of the Declaration of Independence (not 50 years after the signing since the document wasn't actually signed until August 2 contrary to what you often see).