Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of IndependenceThomas Jefferson was the author of The Declaration of Independence and, according to Bellis, Jefferson was also a jurist, diplomat, writer, inventor, a philosopher, architect, gardener, Louisiana Purchase negotiator, but he asked only three of his many accomplishments to be noted on his grave. (2005). Thomas Jefferson was a very intelligent politician and he knew what to say to whom to build their support. This essay will be an analytical article on Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence. It will also clarify the basic ideas contained in the Declaration of Independence; the Declaration's influence on the American War for Independence and why the Declaration was considered a "foundational document." Biography: Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743 in Shadwell, Virginia. His mother was Jane Randolph Jefferson; his father was a landowner named Peter Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson attended the College (1760-62) of William and Mary. In 1769 he began six years of service as a representative in the Virginia House of Burgesses. In 1770, he began construction of Monticello on land inherited from his father. It took years to build, but according to an Internet Brief article...Jefferson, when he married Martha Wayles Skelton on January 1, 1772, part of the Monticello mansion was ready for habitation. Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson had six children, but only two survived to adulthood and four died during childhood. (In short…Jefferson, 2005). In 1776, he was chosen to draft the Declaration of Independence, “which has since been considered a charter of American and universal liberties” (Brief…Jefferson, 2005). That same year he also left Congress, returned to Virginia and served in the Legislature and was elected governor from 1779 to 1781. In 1874, in France, he returned to civil service, "first as a commercial delegate, then as Benjamin Franklin's successor as minister” (Brief…Jefferson, 2005). According to the Brief…Biography article, in 1790, Jefferson accepted the position of Secretary of State under his friend George Washington. In 1794, he defeated Adams for the presidency of the United States, and the first notable achievements of his tenure as president were the purchase of the purchased Louisiana Territory in 1803 and, of course, his support for the Le... middle of paper . .....a little too much. There were or still are who believed that this document was the irrational result of the angry temperament with which Jefferson wrote at certain times. At the end of the document "We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, assembled in the General Congress, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do in the name and by the authority of good people.. ATATES FREE AND INDEPENDENT; THAT THEY ARE ABSOLUTE from all allegiance to the British Crown…” (Jefferson, 416). I find the idea that men were created equal to be central to this document and therefore separated England from America during Jefferson's time in the late 18th century. Works Cited Bellis, Mary. “Thomas Jefferson-His Life as an Inventor.” About.com. 2005. May 4, 2005. http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/bljefferson.htm.Jefferson, Thomas. “The Declaration of Independence.” The American tradition of literature: 10th ed. Flight. I. (414-416). July 4, 1776. 2002. McGrawhill.Malone. “Brief biography of Thomas Jefferson. (1743-1826). 1993. May 4, 2005. http://www.monticello.org/jefferson/biography.html.