The Declaration Of Independence And The Second President...

Thomas Jefferson, writer of the Declaration of Independence and the third president of the United States of America, was born on April 13, 1743. The future president was born to the parents of Peter Jefferson, a well-known and successful planter, and Jane Randolph, a prominent member of a very well-known and distinguished Virginian family. Jefferson was the third of ten children who were raised on the Shadwell slave plantation in Virginia. Starting from the early age of nine, Thomas Jefferson began studying Latin and Greek at one of the local private schools. Quickly after, Jefferson was studying classical languages, literature, and mathematics with Reverend James Maury at the age of fourteen. By the time he was seventeen, Jefferson was†¦show more content†¦One of the many colonists that greatly supported the American independence movement was Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson was soon elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1768 which was being led by Patrick Henry and George Washington. In 1774, Jefferson wrote, A Summary View of the Rights of British America, and it displayed his deep passion and commitment to the cause. Jefferson then attended the Second Continental Congress where the Continental Army was created and George Washington was appointed as Commander-in-Chief. The Congress soon appointed a five-man committee consisting of Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert Livingston to write a Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson was chosen to be the first author to pen the first draft of the Declaration of Independence. Over the course of a seventeen day period, it was believed that Jefferson had written one of the most powerful and influential documents ever produced in the world’s history. The document went through many revisions before it was finally brought to the table and held high by the founding fathers. Nevertheless, many of the words and phrases are originals that came from Thomas Jefferson thus cementing him in history forever. Jefferson’s most famous words to be solidified in history are, â€Å"We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator