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Born
Thomas Jefferson was born in Shadwell, Virginia to his father, Peter Jefferson, and mother, Jane Randolph. He was the 3rd of ten children in his family. -
The College of William and Mary
He began studying at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg at the age of 16. He studied mathemathics, metaphysics, and philosophy along with being introduced to the writings of John Lock, Francis Bacon and Issac Newton. -
Graduated
He graduated from the College of William and Mary in only two years time span -
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Served as a lawyer
Jefferson served as lawyer in Virginia along side his mentor and friend, George Wythe (one of his University professors). -
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Lawyer in House of Burgess
In Virginia's House of Burgess, Jefferson represented Albemarle County -
Married
He married Martha Wayles Skelton -
1st Child born
They gave birth to their first child, Martha who they called Patsy. (Actual birthdate unknown) -
2nd child
2nd child, Jane, was born in this year (actual date unknown). She only survived for 1 year -
Served as delegate
In June he began serving as a delegate to the Second Continential Congress -
Final Draft Submitted
He submitted the final draft of the resolution to independence after only being assigned the task 17 days prior. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was ratified. Jefferson was one of the delegated who signed the document. -
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Virginia House of Delegates
He served as a Delegate in the Virginia House of Delegates for Albemarle County -
3rd child born
Mary, the 3rd child, was born. They often called her Polly instead of Mary. -
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Governor of Virginia
He served as Governor for two terms since a term only last for one year back then. During this time he moved the capital of Virginia from Williamsburg to Richmond. -
4th child born
Lucy Elizabeth was born. She only survived for 1 year -
5th child born
Also named Lucy Elizabeth, their 5th and last child was born. She only survived until 1785. -
Martha Died
Only a few months after the birth of her last child, Martha Jefferson died at the age of 33. She had suffered from diabetes and had poor health. After her death Jefferson never remarried. -
Virginia Delegate
Jefferson was appointed the Delegate of Virginia once the Revoluationary War with Great Britain was over and the United States formed the Congress of the Confederation (Continential Congress). -
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Minister to France
Jefferson was the Minister to France during this time span. It was during this period of time that he formulated his ideas for the recreation of the Monicello -
Published "Notes on the State of Virginia"
The book was first published in France and then in 1787 was published in England. -
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US Secretary of State
He served as the very first US Secretary of State under President George Washington. During this period he also created the Democratic-Republican Party with James Madison after resigned from George Washington's cabinet. -
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US Vice President
He served as the Vice President of the United States after coming in second to John Adams -
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President
He was the 3rd president of the United States. He has been considered one of the greatest US presidents of all time. -
Louisiana Purchase
During the middle of a war between France and Great Britain, Jefferson authorized the purchase of the Louisiana territory from France. This purchased doubled the size of the United States. -
Signed a bill
He signed a bill that banned slaves from being imported into the United States. -
Library of Congress
He sold his books, which numbered to around 6,487, to the Library of Congress to replace the collection that was burned during the War of 1812. -
University of Virginia
He founded the University of Virginia in 1819 and it opened in 1825. It was the first university to offer a wide range of elective courses to students. -
Died
Jefferson passed away on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. He was 83 years old.