This article contains excerpts from my book, A Stroll Through American History It touches on a few of Thomas Jefferson’s accomplishments.
Thomas Jefferson served as our first Secretary of State, during George Washington’s presidency.
Jefferson served as our second Vice President, during the John Adams presidency.
And Thomas Jefferson was our third President.
His was a very orderly succession and something which can never be done again.
Jefferson Was Educated
Thomas Jefferson was a genius and extremely well-read. Not only could he read English, but he could also read Greek, Latin, French, Italian, and Spanish.
He spoke English, French, Italian, and Latin.
More of Thomas Jefferson’s Accomplishments
Thomas Jefferson is the subject of many comprehensive works. Here, I am merely documenting a few of his many achievements.
Jefferson wrote The Declaration of Independence in a period of a little over two weeks.
He wrote the “Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom” act, which the Virginia legislature adopted in 1786.
An interesting point. The Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791, five years after Virginia adopted the “Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom”.
Monticello
Jefferson was an architect. He designed his home, Monticello as well as the University of Virginia.
Many of Jefferson’s “inventions” are really innovations of something already invented. Jefferson had a passion for tinkering and improving things. He designed the Great Clock in Monticello a duplicating machine, and many other clever things.
Louisiana Purchase
In 1803, President Jefferson made the Louisiana Purchase. It was a land deal between the United States and France. The U.S. bought over 800,000 square miles of land west of the Mississippi River for $15 million.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition began in 1804. President Thomas Jefferson gave Meriwether Lewis the job of exploring the Louisiana Purchase and beyond.
This is not a complete listing of President Thomas Jefferson’s accomplishments.
