Short Biography Of Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States, was of English descent, but with deep and wide Virginia roots. His father and paternal grandparents were Virginians; his mother was born in London to English parents.

Jefferson's father, Peter Jefferson, was a surveyor and cartographer, as well as a Virginia land-owner and planter. He and Joshua Fry, another surveyor, created the Fry-Jefferson Map of 1751, he route of what was later called The Great Wagon Road from Virginia to Philadelphia. Jefferson's mother, Jane Randolph, is seldom mentioned in his writings, but she played a critical role in managing the household of this prominent family. When her husband died in 1757, she had eight children living, the oldest 17, the youngest only two years old. …show more content…
He served in the Second Continental Congress and wrote the text of the Declaration of Independence. He also served as Governor of Virginia, American Minister to France, Secretary of State under Washington and Vice President under Adams. As President, he was responsible for the Louisiana Purchase, aided the Lewis and Clark expedition, and established West