Thomas Jefferson Accomplishments

Engraved on Thomas Jefferson’s tombstone are the words, “Here was buried Thomas Jefferson Author of the Declaration of American Independence of the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom & Father of the University of Virginia,” upon Jefferson’s request (Wilson). These were the three accomplishments that Jefferson wanted to be remembered for, humbly overlooking the multitude of his other grand achievements that add to his fame. He humbly overlooked his titles as the United States’ first Secretary, second Vice President, third President, Virginia’s State Governor, and his role in four legislatures (Wilson). Unlike many presidents, his service stretched to many positions, but despite the stress of forming a new nation and government, he excelled

Showing respect to his talented colleague, John Adams once noted that Jefferson had “a happy talent for composition” and a peculiar felicity of expression” (Bernstein 79). He was so skilled that he became his own speechwriter in his presidency, unlike any other president (Bernstein). Jefferson’s first influential piece was A Summary View of the Rights of British America, which lays down his ideas that Parliament should have no authority in Britain’s government, attempting to change the corrupt government the Founding Fathers split from (Wilson). Additionally, he drafted a bill for religious freedom in 1779 that was the model for the first Amendment, which pushed to end the Anglican Church (Bernstein). Though Patrick Henry and James Madison pushed the bill into action, Jefferson laid the foundation for one of his most important achievements that effects the lives of Americans every day (Wilson). As Vice President, his impactful actions did not cease. In 1801, he wrote A Manual of Parliamentary Practice, which contain the rules for the Senate that are currently practiced in the United States and copied globally (Wilson). Most importantly, he is the author of the Declaration of Independence, which declared the Thirteen Colonies as independent from Britain. This document represents the start

On top of the mentioned achievements, he is the only president to be called a Renaissance Man (Pederson). Jefferson was a scholar, lawyer, politician, writer, scientist, teacher, and architect, designing his home and one of the greatest pieces of architecture, Monticello (Pederson). As a “master politician,” he was observed to be closed-mouthed, taking time to listen and learn (Bernstein 76). Furthermore, Bernstein added that “throughout his public life he collected reports, rumors, anecdotes, and gossip, scribbling them down on separate scraps of paper often within minutes of hearing something worth recording…Jefferson wanted his readers to understand that American politics was operating on two levels.(CITE?) In response to many of these corrupt leaders, he firmly believed men should not seek power, but he had a convicted and pure intention of truly transforming the United States by taking the responsibility to form his vision of the good society (Bernstein). Not only did he have great respect for his country, but he brought it when he travelled. When he was sent to be the ambassador of France, he took it upon himself to speak fluent French and respect the culture (Wilson). In addition, he supported the United States while in France by expanding his knowledge of Europe and its affairs and supporting the US Constitution by promising to write the Bill of Rights