Thomas Jefferson (Monticello)

Thomas Jefferson was the third President of the United States and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. He owned Monticello, a historic plantation in Virginia, which reflects his skills as an architect and his interest in classical design. Jefferson believed in individual rights, limited government, and education, shaping American ideals. Despite these views, he owned enslaved people at Monticello, revealing complex and contradictory aspects of his legacy. Today, Monticello is preserved as a historic site, offering insight into Jefferson’s life, achievements, and the broader history of early America.