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Biographies
Jefferson and His Time
The Pulitzer Prize winning masterpiece by Dumas Malone, this is the definitive biography of Thomas Jefferson. Written in 6 volumes, it contains fascinating insights into Jefferson’s life, contributions and vision including material not available in any other biography. Volume 1: Jefferson the Virginian, Volume 2: Jefferson and the Rights of Man, 3: Jefferson and the Ordeal of Liberty, 4: Jefferson the President, First Term 1801-1805, 5: Jefferson the President, Second Term 1805-1809, 6: Jefferson and His Time, The Sage of Monticello. The complete version is not available online but we have included a link to purchase the volumes on amazon.
Autobiography of Thomas Jefferson
Contains the complete text, divided into sections for easier access. The Autobiography includes Jefferson’s original draft of the Declaration of Independence with the changes which Congress made noted thereon.
The Life of Thomas Jefferson by Henry S. Randall
Published in 1853 in three volumes this is a wonderful biography that includes first-hand interviews with those who knew Jefferson. “It would be unusual to converse half an hour on great political or social problems with an intelligent American—and particularly among the rural classes, who talk around their firesides of the Revolution, and of the august fathers of the Republic—without hearing some lofty thought or ringing phrase quoted from Jefferson. There was a sympathy between his heart and the great popular heart, which nothing ever did, ever can, shake.”
The Life of Thomas Jefferson by Henry S. Randall
Published in 1853 in three volumes this is a wonderful biography that includes first-hand interviews with those who knew Jefferson. “It would be unusual to converse half an hour on great political or social problems with an intelligent American—and particularly among the rural classes, who talk around their firesides of the Revolution, and of the august fathers of the Republic—without hearing some lofty thought or ringing phrase quoted from Jefferson. There was a sympathy between his heart and the great popular heart, which nothing ever did, ever can, shake.”
Life of Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States, by James Parton, published in 1874.
Life of Thomas Jefferson, with selections from the most valuable portions of his voluminous and unrivalled private correspondence.
By B. L. Rayner and published in 1834. This full-length online biography, emphasizes the role of republican principles in Jefferson’s life and thought. Contains excerpts from his writings as well as anecdotes taken from the writings of those who knew him.
Thomas Jefferson, A Brief Biography
Monticello’s short biography of Jefferson with multiple links to various aspects of Jefferson’s life.
Writings and Quotes
A Summary View of the Rights of British America
Written in 1774 and originally titled, “Draft of Instructions to the Virginia Delegates in the Continental Congress” this document was later published by Jefferson’s friends, without his knowledge, as “A Summary View of the Rights of British America”. It was an eloquent appeal to George III to redress the wrongs being done to the colonies. In this copy at the Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson signed his name under the anonymous author and made corrections in his own hand.
The Jefferson Cyclopedia
“The Jeffersonian Cyclopedia is designed to be a complete classified arrangement of the Writings of Thomas Jefferson on Government Politics Law Education Commerce Agriculture Manufactures Navigation Finance Morals Religious Freedom and many other topics of permanent human interest.”
Jefferson on Freedom of Religion
A complete copy of Jefferson’s Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom in the State of Virginia, 18 June 1779 with annotation from the editors of The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, The Princeton University Press. http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-02-02-0132-0004-0082. The final version passed the Virignia Legislature ten years later as The Act For Establishing Religious Freedom.
Letter from the Danbury Baptist Association and Jefferson’s famous reply that includes the frequently quoted phrase, “wall of separation between Church and State“. A note from the editors of The Papers of Thomas Jefferson with detailed explanations can be found here.
The Jefferson Bible
Thomas Jefferson believed that the ethical system of Jesus was the finest the world has ever seen. In compiling what has come to be called “The Jefferson Bible,” he sought to separate these ethical teachings from the religious dogma and other supernatural elements that are intermixed in the account provided in the four Gospels.
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson
This is the Memorial Edition of Jefferson’s writings in 19 volumes, edited by Albert Ellery Bergh. It is made available by The Constitution Society.
The Thomas Jefferson Papers, Library of Congress
Consisting of approximately 27,000 documents, this is the largest collection of original Jefferson documents in the world. Most of them are in Jefferson’s own hand with transcripts available for some.
Thomas Jefferson: A Resource Guide, Library of Congress
“This resource guide compiles links to digital materials related to Jefferson such as letters, broadsides, government documents, books, and images that are available throughout the Library of Congress Web site. In addition, it provides links to external Web sites focusing on Jefferson and a bibliography containing selected works for both general and younger readers. Created by Kenneth Drexler and Jurretta Jordan Heckscher, Digital Reference Specialists”
Founders Online
Contains the writings of six of the Founding Fathers in over 150,000 searchable documents with annotations. The project is ongoing but currently there are 22,854 documents associated with Thomas Jefferson.
University of Virginia, Jefferson Online Resources
This contains hundreds of letters to and from Jefferson, some manuscript images, bibliographies, and other resources related to Jefferson’s writings.
Online Library of Liberty
This site contains The Works of Thomas Jefferson edited by Paul Leicester Ford in twelve, easily searchable volumes.
A letter written by Thomas Jefferson to Meriwether Lewis outlining his orders and the objectives for the voyage of discovery.
Thomas Jefferson’s account of the circumstances leading to the Declaration of Independence. Also features historical documents, biographical sketches of the 56 signers, and essays about the causes and circumstances of the American Revolution.
Yale’s Jefferson Papers Page
Contains the Autobiography, Notes on the State of Virginia , Annual Messages, Inaugural Addresses, Indian Addresses, and a selection from the Miscellaneous Papers and Letters.
Early American and Jeffersonian Views
Institute for American Liberty
This site contains several essays and important documents related to the fundamentals of liberty, including selected quotes from Algernon Sidney’s “Discourses Concerning Government” and Washington’s Farewell Address. Emphasizes the religious assumptions that support liberty.
Primary Source Documents Pertaining to Early American History
An invaluable collection of historical works that contributed to the formation of American politics, culture, and ideals. This is a massive collection of the literature and documents that were most relevant to the colonists’ lives in America.
The Declaration of Independence: Drafting the Documents
This fascinating presentation by the Library of Congress exhibits a large number of documents related to Jefferson’s writing of the Declaration, including a transcript of his original rough draft.
The Early America Review
Actually a major division of Archiving Early America, this is a journal of fact and opinion focusing on the people, issues and events of Colonial America, the Revolutionary War and the beginning years of the new Republic.
Bill Barker
The Jefferson interpreter extraordinaire, Bill Barker is the same height and weight as Mr. Jefferson and bears an uncanny resemblance to the great man. His portrayal of Jefferson is so genuine that you will feel as if you are engaged in a conversation with Thomas Jefferson himself.