Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743-July 4, 1826) was an American Founding Father, author of the Declaration of Independence, Governor of Virginia, Vice President under John Adams, and third President of the United States. He served as the first United States Secretary of State (1730-1793) under President George Washington. Elected President in 1800, he oversaw the purchase of the Louisiana Territory from France and sent Lewis and Clark to explore that territory. In 1819, he founded the University of Virginia. His residence Monticello, a 5,000-acre plantation, reflects his architectural ingenuity, as was later apparent when he served as principal planner of Washington, DC.