Thomas Jefferson By Greenfield Apr 13, 1743 The birth date of Thomas Jefferson Mar 1, 1760 Thomas Jefferson attends the College of William and Mary Jun 11, 1776 Thomas Jefferson begins writing the Declaration of Independence Jul 4, 1776 Congress approves Jefferson's Declaration of Independence. Feb 17, 1801 Thomas Jefferson elected President of the United States Jan 1, 1819 University of Virginia founded by Thomas Jefferson Jul 4, 1826 Thomas Jefferson dies at Monticello