History

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson is a two-part portrait of our enigmatic and brilliant third president. Thomas Jefferson embodies within his own life the most profound contradictions of American history: as the author of the Declaration of Independence, he gave voice to our fervent desire for freedom, but he also owned more than 150 slaves and never saw fit to free them.

Part 1

1h 26m

Jefferson also made himself into a true renaissance man – a scholar, a philosopher, a diplomat, an aesthete, and an architect. As a young man, he was transformed by the fire of the Enlightenment into America’s most articulate voice for human liberty.

Episodes

  • Part 2: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Part 2

    S1 E2 - 1h 27m

    Jefferson’s last years were spent founding the University of Virginia and reestablishing his friendship, after decades of estrangement, from his onetime rival John Adams. His influence on and vision for our country reverberates to this day.

  • Part 1: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Part 1

    S1 E1 - 1h 26m

    Jefferson also made himself into a true renaissance man – a scholar, a philosopher, a diplomat, an aesthete, and an architect. As a young man, he was transformed by the fire of the Enlightenment into America’s most articulate voice for human liberty.

Extras + Features

  • An American Enigma: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    An American Enigma

    4m 59s

    Thomas Jefferson is an enigma among American historical figures. He was one of America’s founding fathers, and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. He later served as the third President of the United States.

  • The Road to Monticello: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Road to Monticello

    2m 59s

    Thomas Jefferson was born in the Colony of Virginia on April 13, 1743. Upon his father’s death, Jefferson inherited several thousand acres of land — including the land in which he would one day build his home, Monticello.

  • Drafting the Declaration of Independence: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Drafting the Declaration of Independence

    3m 38s

    Benjamin Franklin was initially asked to construct the first draft of the Declaration of Independence, but after turning it down, the task was given to John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.

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