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Show Jefferson Thomas Jefferson, one of the giants of the nation's founding fathers, was born April 13 (old style April 2nd) in 1743, at Shadwell, Virginia. His democratic ideas were far ahead of those of most other men and his innovations in architecture, education, farming and other fields continue con-tinue to impress historians. JEFFERSON, more than any other one man, drafted the Declaration of Indepen-dence-as a member of the Continental Congress. He served as Governor of Virginia Vir-ginia during the Revolution. He also served as a diplomat, with Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, in France. He was Secretary of State under President George Washing- 'on. , , When John Adams defeated him for President, he became Vice President, having received the second highest number of votes (the old election system). He then served eight years as President, elected first in 1800. JEFFERSON lived at Mon-ticello, Mon-ticello, his famous home, contribution to humanitarian and democratic ideals shines as brightly in history as his services as a government official. |