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Thomas Jefferson
1743-1826
Perhaps the most versatile of America's founding fathers, Jefferson devoted 40 years to public service, serving as a member of the Virginia Conventions, the Continental Congress, the Virginia Legislature, Governor of Virginia, delegate to Congress, minister to France, Secretary of State, Vice President and President of the United States. His knowledge of various sciences, poetry, linguistics, education, music, art, and architecture greatly influenced American culture. His private library of more than 6,000 volumes became the basis of the Library of Congress. He wished most to be remembered as the author of the Declaration of Independence, the Statue of Virginia for Religious Freedom, and for his contribution to education. He was the father of the American public university. Ever vigilant in the cause of freedom, he declared, "I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." |