Chances!

"I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have."

Thomas Jefferson was the third US President (1801-1809). He was born on April 13, 1743 in Albemarle County, Virginia and died on July 4, 1826 in Monticello, Charlottesville, Virginia.

In 1752, Thomas Jefferson began attending a local school run by William Douglas, a Scottish reverend. He began studying the classical languages of Latin, Greek and French at the age of nine. He was taught at the school of James Maury in Fredericksburg parish from 1758 to 1760, where he studied history and natural science.

Thomas Jefferson studied at the college of William and Mary in Williamsburg at the age of 16 from 1760 to 1762. He entered philosophy school and studied mathematics, metaphysics and philosophy. Thomas Jefferson graduated in 1762 with highest honours and then studied law and was admitted to the Virginia bar in 1767.

Thomas Jefferson stood at a powerful position as an advocate of liberty; and he was well known as eloquent correspondent, but he was not a public speaker. In that direction he contributed his pen rather than his voice to the patriot cause in the Virginia House of Burgesses and the Continental Congress.

Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence at the age of 33 while he was in the Congress. He wrote a bill for establishing religious freedom enacted in 1786.

Thomas Jefferson succeeded Benjamin Franklin as minister to France in 1785. He entered into conflict with Alexander Hamilton (1st United States Secretary of the Treasury 1789-1795) while he was Secretary of State in President Washington's Cabinet because of his sympathy for the French Revolution, so he resigned in 1793.

That conflict led to sharp political conflict which was developed to form the Federalists Party and the Democratic Republicans Party. Thomas Jefferson assumed leadership of the Republicans. So, while attacking Federalists policies, he opposed a strong centralized Government and championed the rights of states.

As he was a reluctant candidate for President in 1796, Thomas Jefferson came with three votes of election. He became Vice President, although he was an opponent of President John Adams, through a flaw in the Constitution.

While Thomas Jefferson assumed the Presidency in 1801, the crisis in France had passed. He suppressed his qualms over constitutionality, while the Constitution made no provision for the acquisition of new land, so he had the opportunity to acquire Louisiana Territory from Napoleon in 1803.

Thomas Jefferson was very active in keeping the Nation from involvement in Napoleon's wars, though both France and England interfered with the neutral rights of the American merchants.

Thomas Jefferson retired to live in Monticello and to ponder some projects as his grand designs for the University of Virginia. He was succeeded by James Madison.