Thomas Jefferson Biography: Age, Children, Net Worth, Wife, Quotes, School, History, Family

Biography

Thomas Jefferson (born 13 April 1743) was quite the Renaissance man in American history. You could say he wore many hats – as a statesman, diplomat, lawyer, architect, philosopher, and, of course, one of the Founding Fathers. 

He held the prestigious position of the third president of the United States from 1801 to 1809 and is best remembered as the brains behind the Declaration of Independence.

But Thomas Jefferson‘s impact goes way beyond his presidential tenure. He was a multifaceted figure who left his mark in various domains. Jefferson was a force to be reckoned with, whether it was his knack for diplomacy, his expertise in law, his architectural flair, or his philosophical insights. 

Let’s remember his pivotal role in crafting the Declaration of Independence, a document that still echoes throughout American history and embodies the essence of the nation’s values and principles.

Thomas Jefferson
Wiki Facts & About Data
Full Name:	Thomas Jefferson
Born:	13 April 1743 (age 83 years old)
Place of Birth:	Shadwell, Virginia, United States
Died:	4 July 1826 (age 83 years), Monticello, Virginia, United States
Nationality:	American
Education:	William & Mary College
Height:	1.67 m
Parents:	Peter Jefferson, Jane Randolph Jefferson
Siblings:	Peter Field Jefferson, Elizabeth Jefferson, Anna Scott Jefferson Marks, Lucy Jefferson Lewis, Martha Jefferson Carr, Mary Jefferson Bolling, Peter Thomas Jefferson, Randolph Jefferson, Jane Jefferson
Spouse:	Martha Jefferson (m. 1772–1782)
Girlfriend • Partner:	N/A
Children:	Martha Jefferson Randolph, Madison Hemings, Harriet Hemings, Eston Hemings, Beverly Hemings, Mary Jefferson Eppes, Lucy Elizabeth Jefferson, Lucy Elizabeth Jefferson I, Jane Jefferson
Occupation:	Politician • Lawyer
Net Worth:	$284 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Thomas Jefferson, a renowned politician, was born on 13 April 1743 in Shadwell, Virginia, United States. 

He was the third of ten children of his parents, Peter Jefferson and Jane Randolph Jefferson. He grew up with nine siblings, Peter Field Jefferson, Elizabeth Jefferson, Anna Scott Jefferson Marks, Lucy Jefferson Lewis, Martha Jefferson Carr, Mary Jefferson Bolling, Peter Thomas Jefferson, Randolph Jefferson, and Jane Jefferson.

Thomas Jefferson‘s educational journey began at William & Mary College on March 25, 1760, when he was just 16. Before that, he had the privilege of learning from private tutors at home and attending schools run by Anglican clergymen. By the time he arrived in Williamsburg, young Jefferson was already well-versed in the classics and had a talent for reading Greek and Latin authors in their original languages, a passion he pursued throughout his life.

At William & Mary, Jefferson found himself immersed in a vibrant academic community. Alongside the philosophy school where he was enrolled, the college offered a grammar school for younger boys, a divinity school for those preparing for church ministry, and even an Indian School focused on educating and Christianizing young Native American boys.

Career

Thomas Jefferson, one of the esteemed United States Founding Fathers, wore many hats in the early government. He kicked off as the nation’s first Secretary of State under President George Washington, then slid into second Vice President under John Adams. 

In 1801, he clinched the presidency, snagging the 3rd President of the United States title, a gig he rocked for two back-to-back terms until 1809. Alongside his political hustle, Jefferson dabbled in shaping America’s foreign affairs, especially during his stint as the U.S. Minister to France, where he played a key role in fortifying the friendship between the two nations during a crucial period.

Now, despite Thomas Jefferson‘s impressive resume and hand in molding the nation, let’s not gloss over his flaws. Yep, he was a slave owner, and he didn’t shy away from some pretty prejudiced views, which kind of clashed with his whole spiel about liberty and equality. 

Plus, his track record with Native Americans wasn’t stellar either, showing a bit of a blind spot when it came to their rights and sovereignty. So, while we tip our hats to his achievements, it’s only fair to acknowledge and learn from the not-so-great parts of his story.

Personal Life

Thomas Jefferson‘s first marriage to Martha Jefferson was happy, but sadly, she passed away at a young age in 1781. While there is speculation about other romantic relationships in Jefferson’s life, none have been officially confirmed. 

Despite this, Jefferson remained devoted to his family and had six children with Martha: Martha Jefferson Randolph, Madison Hemings, Harriet Hemings, Eston Hemings, Beverly Hemings, Mary Jefferson Eppes, Lucy Elizabeth Jefferson, Lucy Elizabeth Jefferson I, and Jane Jefferson. However, only four survived to adulthood.

Net Worth

Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, was one of the wealthiest presidents in history. His net worth, primarily derived from land ownership and the ownership of slaves, peaked at around $284 million in today’s dollars. 

Despite his wealth, Jefferson was a strong advocate for democracy and equality for all, and he even struggled with debt towards the end of his life due to poor financial management.