History UsefulNotes / ThomasJefferson

Jefferson was the intellectual visionary of UsefulNotes/TheAmericanRevolution, the author of the Declaration of Independence, and also a staunch critic of Christianity and upholder of the separation of Church and State. Thomas Jefferson is widely revered by the American public as well as non-American supporters of liberal ideals, but his legacy is complex. He has been tough for historians to comprehend how he could write that "All Men Are Created Equal" and oppose slavery while also possessing hundreds of slaves, among other seemingly contradictory aspects of his life. This became even more complicated in the light of the validation of the long-denied rumor of his affair with Sally Hemings via a DNA test, accepted by a sizable consensus of American historians with a dissenting minority[[note]]The test used the Y chromosome, which can only be passed from father to son. A direct male-line descendant of Sally Hemings shared virtually identical Y chromosome, barring incidental mutations, with a direct male line descendant of Jefferson's wife. Excepting an extreme laboratory failure or fraud beyond belief, Jefferson was the father of that lineage.[[/note]]. Sally Hemings was a half-sister of his late wife, the daughter of a black slave and a Virginia landholder. Jefferson began a relationship with Sally and fathered several children with her, all of whom were born slaves. Several died in infancy and bondage, while those who lived were freed during Jefferson's life or upon his death. Sally however, was freed instead by Jefferson's daughter Martha after 'doing her time'.

* The film ''Almost Heroes'' is set in his administration. The protagonists meet Aaron Burr at a party.
* In the Merchant-Ivory film ''Jefferson in Paris'', Jefferson is played by Nick Nolte, with Creator/ThandiweNewton as Sally Hemmings and Creator/GwynethPaltrow as Patsy Jefferson.

Jefferson was the intellectual visionary of UsefulNotes/TheAmericanRevolution, the author of the Declaration of Independence, and also a staunch critic of Christianity and upholder of the separation of Church and State. Thomas Jefferson is widely revered by the American public as well as non-American supporters of liberal ideals, but his legacy is complex. He has been tough for historians to comprehend how he could write that "All Men Are Created Equal" and oppose slavery while also possessing hundreds of slaves, among other seemingly contradictory aspects of his life. This became even more complicated in the light of the validation of the long-denied rumor of his affair with Sally Hemings via a DNA test, accepted by a sizable consensus of American historians with a dissenting minority. Sally Hemings was a half-sister of his late wife, the daughter of a black slave and a Virginia landholder. Jefferson began a relationship with Sally and fathered several children with her, all of whom were born slaves. Several died in infancy and bondage, while those who lived were freed during Jefferson's life or upon his death. Sally however, was freed instead by Jefferson's daughter Martha after 'doing her time'.

Despite his contradictions, Thomas Jefferson is one of the most important men in American history, whose legacy endures even today for a variety of reasons. He made major antislavery moves like abolishing importation of slaves into America, which was done at the same time as England's abolition and the enforcement of the West Africa Squadron. This ended the international slave trade from Africa, but internal slavery within America continued until UsefulNotes/AbrahamLincoln abolished it. Jefferson also oversaw the acquisition of the Louisiana Territory into the United States and doubled America's territory overnight, albeit because UsefulNotes/NapoleonBonaparte offered it at such a bargain that no US President would have turned it down.

Jefferson was the intellectual visionary of UsefulNotes/TheAmericanRevolution, the author of the Declaration of Independence, and also a staunch critic of Christianity and upholder of the separation of Church and State. Thomas Jefferson is widely revered by the American public as well as non-American supporters of liberal ideals, but his personal life has become more controversial among historians. He has been tough for historians to comprehend how he could write that "All Men Are Created Equal" and oppose slavery while also possessing hundreds of slaves, among other seemingly contradictory aspects of his life. This became even more complicated in the light of the validation of the long-denied rumor of his affair with Sally Hemings via a DNA test, accepted by a sizable consensus of American historians with a dissenting minority. Sally Hemings was a half-sister of his late wife, the daughter of a black slave and a Virginia landholder. Jefferson began a relationship with Sally and fathered several children with her, all of whom were born slaves. Several died in infancy and bondage, while those who lived were freed during Jefferson's life or upon his death. Sally however, was freed instead by Jefferson's daughter Martha after 'doing her time'.

Jefferson was the intellectual visionary of UsefulNotes/TheAmericanRevolution, the author of the Declaration of Independence, and also a staunch critic of Christianity and upholder of the separation of Church and State. Thomas Jefferson is widely revered by the American public as well as non-American supporters of liberal ideals, but his personal life has become more controversial among historians. He has been tough for historians to understand how he could write that "All Men Are Created Equal" and oppose slavery while also possessing hundreds of slaves, among other seemingly contradictory aspects of his life. This became even more complicated in the light of the validation of the long-denied rumor of his affair with Sally Hemings via a DNA test, accepted by a sizable consensus of American historians with a dissenting minority. Sally Hemings was a half-sister of his late wife, the daughter of a black slave and a Virginia landholder. Jefferson began a relationship with Sally and fathered several children with her, all of whom were born slaves. Several died in infancy and bondage, while those who lived were freed during Jefferson's life or upon his death. Sally however, was freed instead by Jefferson's daughter Martha after 'doing her time'.

Jefferson was the intellectual visionary of UsefulNotes/TheAmericanRevolution, the author of the Declaration of Independence, and also a staunch critic of Christianity and upholder of the separation of Church and State. Thomas Jefferson is widely revered by the American public as well as non-American supporters of liberal ideals, but he has become more controversial among historians. He has been tough for historians to understand how he could write that "All Men Are Created Equal" and oppose slavery while also possessing hundreds of slaves, among other seemingly contradictory aspects of his life. This became even more complicated in the light of the validation of the long-denied rumor of his affair with Sally Hemings via a DNA test, accepted by a sizable consensus of American historians with a dissenting minority. Sally Hemings was a half-sister of his late wife, the daughter of a black slave and a Virginia landholder. Jefferson began a relationship with Sally and fathered several children with her, all of whom were born slaves. Several died in infancy and bondage, while those who lived were freed during Jefferson's life or upon his death. Sally however, was freed instead by Jefferson's daughter Martha after 'doing her time'.

Jefferson was the intellectual visionary of UsefulNotes/TheAmericanRevolution, the author of the Declaration of Independence, and also a staunch critic of Christianity and upholder of the separation of Church and State. Thomas Jefferson is widely revered by the American public as well as non-American supporters of liberal ideals, but he has become more controversial among historians. He has been tough for historians to understand how he could claim that "All Men Are Created Equal" and oppose slavery while also possessing hundreds of slaves, among other seemingly contradictory aspects of his life. This became even more complicated in the light of the validation of the long-denied rumor of his affair with Sally Hemings via a DNA test, accepted by a sizable consensus of American historians with a dissenting minority. Sally Hemings was a half-sister of his late wife, the daughter of a black slave and a Virginia landholder. Jefferson began a relationship with Sally and fathered several children with her, all of whom were born slaves. Several died in infancy and bondage, while those who lived were freed during Jefferson's life or upon his death. Sally however, was freed instead by Jefferson's daughter Martha after 'doing her time'.

Jefferson was the intellectual visionary of UsefulNotes/TheAmericanRevolution, the author of the Declaration of Independence, and also a staunch critic of Christianity and upholder of the separation of Church and State. Thomas Jefferson is widely revered by the American public as well as non-American supporters of liberalism, but he has become more controversial among historians. He has been tough for historians to understand how he could claim that "All Men Are Created Equal" and oppose slavery while also possessing hundreds of slaves, among other seemingly contradictory aspects of his life. This became even more complicated in the light of the validation of the long-denied rumor of his affair with Sally Hemings via a DNA test, accepted by a sizable consensus of American historians with a dissenting minority. Sally Hemings was a half-sister of his late wife, the daughter of a black slave and a Virginia landholder. Jefferson began a relationship with Sally and fathered several children with her, all of whom were born slaves. Several died in infancy and bondage, while those who lived were freed during Jefferson's life or upon his death. Sally however, was freed instead by Jefferson's daughter Martha after 'doing her time'.

Jefferson was the intellectual visionary of UsefulNotes/TheAmericanRevolution, the author of the Declaration of Independence, and also a staunch critic of Christianity and upholder of the separation of Church and State. Thomas Jefferson is widely revered by the American public as well as non-American supporters of liberalism, but he has become more controversial among historians. He has been tough for historians to understand, in how he claimed that "All Men Are Created Equal" and opposed slavery while also possessing hundreds of slaves, among other seemingly contradictory aspects of his life. This became even more complicated in the light of the validation of the long-denied rumor of his affair with Sally Hemings via a DNA test, accepted by a sizable consensus of American historians with a dissenting minority. Sally Hemings was a half-sister of his late wife, the daughter of a black slave and a Virginia landholder. Jefferson began a relationship with Sally and fathered several children with her, all of whom were born slaves. Several died in infancy and bondage, while those who lived were freed during Jefferson's life or upon his death. Sally however, was freed instead by Jefferson's daughter Martha after 'doing her time'.

Jefferson was the intellectual visionary of UsefulNotes/TheAmericanRevolution, the author of the Declaration of Independence, and also a staunch critic of Christianity and upholder of the separation of Church and State. Thomas Jefferson is widely revered by the American public as well as supporters of liberalism outside the United States, but he has become more controversial among historians. He has been tough for historians to understand, in how he claimed that "All Men Are Created Equal" and opposed slavery while also possessing hundreds of slaves, among other seemingly contradictory aspects of his life. This became even more complicated in the light of the validation of the long-denied rumor of his affair with Sally Hemings via a DNA test, accepted by a sizable consensus of American historians with a dissenting minority. Sally Hemings was a half-sister of his late wife, the daughter of a black slave and a Virginia landholder. Jefferson began a relationship with Sally and fathered several children with her, all of whom were born slaves. Several died in infancy and bondage, while those who lived were freed during Jefferson's life or upon his death. Sally however, was freed instead by Jefferson's daughter Martha after 'doing her time'.

Jefferson was the intellectual visionary of UsefulNotes/TheAmericanRevolution, the author of the Declaration of Independence, and also a staunch critic of Christianity and upholder of the separation of Church and State. Thomas Jefferson is widely revered by the American public as well as supporters of liberalism outside the United States, but he has become more controversial among academic scholars. He has been tough for historians to understand, in how he claimed that "All Men Are Created Equal" and opposed slavery while also possessing hundreds of slaves, among other seemingly contradictory aspects of his life. This became even more complicated in the light of the validation of the long-denied rumor of his affair with Sally Hemings via a DNA test, accepted by a sizable consensus of American historians with a dissenting minority. Sally Hemings was a half-sister of his late wife, the daughter of a black slave and a Virginia landholder. Jefferson began a relationship with Sally and fathered several children with her, all of whom were born slaves. Several died in infancy and bondage, while those who lived were freed during Jefferson's life or upon his death. Sally however, was freed instead by Jefferson's daughter Martha after 'doing her time'.

Jefferson was the intellectual visionary of UsefulNotes/TheAmericanRevolution, the author of the Declaration of Independence, and also a staunch critic of Christianity and upholder of the separation of Church and State. He has been tough for historians to understand, in how he claimed that "All Men Are Created Equal" and opposed slavery while also possessing hundreds of slaves, among other seemingly contradictory aspects of his life. This became even more complicated in the light of the validation of the long-denied rumor of his affair with Sally Hemings via a DNA test, accepted by a sizable consensus of American historians with a dissenting minority. Sally Hemings was a half-sister of his late wife, the daughter of a black slave and a Virginia landholder. Jefferson began a relationship with Sally and fathered several children with her, all of whom were born slaves. Several died in infancy and bondage, while those who lived were freed during Jefferson's life or upon his death. Sally however, was freed instead by Jefferson's daughter Martha after 'doing her time'.

Jefferson was the intellectual visionary of UsefulNotes/TheAmericanRevolution, the author of the Declaration of Independence, and also a staunch critic of Christianity and upholder of the separation of Church and State. He has been tough for some historians to get a handle on, in how he claimed that "All Men Are Created Equal" and opposed slavery while also possessing hundreds of slaves, among other seemingly contradictory aspects of his life. This became even more complicated in the light of the validation of the long-denied rumor of his affair with Sally Hemings via a DNA test, accepted by a sizable consensus of American historians with a dissenting minority. Sally Hemings was a half-sister of his late wife, the daughter of a black slave and a Virginia landholder. Jefferson began a relationship with Sally and fathered several children with her, all of whom were born slaves. Several died in infancy and bondage, while those who lived were freed during Jefferson's life or upon his death. Sally however, was freed instead by Jefferson's daughter Martha after 'doing her time'.

* In the Merchant-Ivory film ''Jefferson in Paris'', Jefferson is played by Nick Nolte, with Creator/ThandieNewton as Sally Hemings and Creator/GwynethPaltrow as Patsy Jefferson.

* Voiced by Creator/BenStiller on the Creator/{{PBS}} show
* Voiced by Creator/BillyWest in ''WesternAnimation/{{Histeria}}''
''WesternAnimation/LibertysKids''.
* Voiced by Hans Conried in ''[[WesternAnimation/MiscellaneousDisneyShorts Ben and Me]]''

* Voiced by Creator/BenStiller on the Creator/{{PBS}} show ''WesternAnimation/LibertysKids''.

Jefferson was the intellectual visionary of the Revolution, the author of the Declaration of Independence, and also a staunch critic of Christianity and upholder of the separation of Church and State. He has been tough for some historians to get a handle on, in how he claimed that "All Men Are Created Equal" and opposed slavery while also possessing hundreds of slaves, among other seemingly contradictory aspects of his life. This became even more complicated in the light of the validation of the long-denied rumor of his affair with Sally Hemings via a DNA test, accepted by a sizable consensus of American historians with a dissenting minority. Sally Hemings was a half-sister of his late wife, the daughter of a black slave and a Virginia landholder. Jefferson began a relationship with Sally and fathered several children with her, all of whom were born slaves. Several died in infancy and bondage, while those who lived were freed during Jefferson's life or upon his death. Sally however, was freed instead by Jefferson's daughter Martha after 'doing her time'.

''[[Theatre/{{Hamilton}} "So what'd I miss?"]]''

With that said, Jefferson also had darker sides. For instance, he was a supporter of US expansionism into native territory, and tried to force UsefulNotes/NativeAmericans to sell their lands for pennies or be forcibly assimilated, which all led to the larger scale ethnic cleansing campaigns by his successors such as UsefulNotes/AndrewJackson. He also reverted his [[UsefulNotes/JohnAdams predecessor's]] support of the [[UsefulNotes/{{Haiti}} Haitian Revolution]] and helped the French impose sanctions, despite being a revolutionary himself, all for the selfish reason of [[DoubleStandard fearing a Black slave revolution in the US]].

* Jefferson is one of the main antagonists in ''Theatre/{{Hamilton}}''. He was played by Daveed Diggs in the original Broadway cast. Jefferson enters at the start of Act 2, having spent the entirety of Act 1 negotiating with France during the Revolutionary War, and promptly begins acting as Hamilton's political rival throughout the act.

'''Thomas Jefferson''' (April 13, 1743 ‒ July 4, 1826) was a Founding Father and the third President of the United States ([[UsefulNotes/AntebellumAmerica 1801‒09]]), immediately succeeding UsefulNotes/JohnAdams and preceding UsefulNotes/JamesMadison. He is best known for being the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, written in 1776. The first President from the Democratic-Republican Party, Jefferson previously had a prominent career in politics, serving as UsefulNotes/GeorgeWashington's Secretary of State and John Adams' Vice President. A highly intelligent man skilled in many subjects, his other areas of expertise included theology, history, music, architecture, and earth sciences.

[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/jefferson-portrait-480x640-2_444.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:250:''The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.''[[note]]He goes on to say, "It is its natural manure." Practical fellow…[[/note]]]]

* Played by Ken Howard in ''Theatre/SeventeenSeventySix'' and ''Independence''. Jefferson was also one of the several presidents Howard played in the musical flop ''1600 Pennsylvania Avenue''.

* Jefferson is one of the main antagonists in ''Theatre/{{Hamilton}}''. He was played by Daveed Diggs in the original Broadway cast. Jefferson enters at the start of Act 2, having spent the entirety of Act 1 negotiating with France during the Revolutionary War, and promptly begins acting as Hamilton's nemesis throughout the act.

* Jefferson is one of the main antagonists in ''Theatre/{{Hamilton}}''. He was played by Daveed Diggs in the original Broadway cast.

* Played by Ken Howard in ''Theatre/SeventeenSeventySix'' and ''Independence''. Jefferson was also one of the several presidents Howard played in the musical flop ''1600 Pennsylvania Avenue''.
* In Creator/{{HBO}}'s [[Series/JohnAdams miniseries]] about UsefulNotes/JohnAdams, he's played by Creator/StephenDillane.
* In the Merchant-Ivory film ''Jefferson in Paris'', Jefferson is played by Nick Nolte, with Creator/ThandieNewton as Sally Hemings and Creator/GwynethPaltrow as Patsy Jefferson.

* Voiced by Creator/BenStiller on the Creator/{{PBS}} show ''WesternAnimation/LibertysKids''.
* In an episode of ''Series/ThirtyRock'', Tracy Jordan discovers that he is a descendant of Jefferson and Sally Hemings. Tracy then has a DreamSequence in which Jefferson is played by Creator/AlecBaldwin. Inspired by this, Tracy tries to self-finance a movie about Jefferson with him playing ''all'' the roles.
* In ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' episode "Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington", Lisa goes to the Lincoln Memorial for inspiration, but it's too crowded, so she goes to the Jefferson Memorial. Jefferson takes offense:
-->'''Jefferson''': No one ever comes to see me. I don't blame them. [[SarcasmMode I never did anything important.]] Just the Declaration of Independence, the Louisiana Purchase, the dumbwaiter… No, don't go! I'm so lonely…
* An extremely negative portrayal of Jefferson as a hypocrite who trampled on the democratic principles he advocated appears in Creator/GoreVidal's ''Burr''. Since the book is from Burr's perspective (confirmed by WordOfGod to be an UnreliableNarrator), it also provides a very different portrayal of him than most Americans are familiar with.
* Sort-of example: The Jefferson Memorial is the site of Project Purity in ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}''.[[spoiler: After activating it, the muddy, irradiated water clears to show his statue standing proudly.]]

* In the ''Series/MarriedWithChildren'' episode "Here's Looking at You, Kid", Bud is supposed to help Kelly study history; instead, he tells her that Jefferson's wife was black, he was "a real Renaissance man […] an architect and a dry-cleaner" and he wrote "Movin' on Up" (the ThemeSong for ''Series/TheJeffersons'').
* ''Webcomic/TheAdventuresOfDrMcNinja'' briefly depicts Jefferson as a time-traveler. [[RuleOfCool With a jetpack.]]

* In an episode of ''Series/FamilyTies'' while working on a term paper about Thomas Jefferson, Alex falls asleep and dreams of being at the Continental Congress in 1776 where Thomas Jefferson looks like Alex's dad Steven. Alex gets a job as Jefferson's house boy and ends up helping him decide to write the Declaration of Independence.

* A Cahill from the Janus Branch of ''Literature/The39Clues''.

* Jefferson appears as the leader of LaResistance in the AlternateHistory ''Tyranny of King Washington'' DLC for ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedIII''.
* He inexplicably shows up as a BigBad in ''Webcomic/MountainTime''.
* Jefferson is one of the main antagonists in ''Theatre/{{Hamilton}}''. He was played by Daveed Diggs in the original Broadway cast.
* Jefferson squares off against Frederick Douglass in the 61st installment of ''WebVideo/EpicRapBattlesOfHistory''.