Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 – July 4, 1826) was an American statesman, planter, diplomat, lawyer, architect, philosopher, and
Founding Father who served as the third
president of the United States from 1801 to 1809. He was the primary author of the
Declaration of Independence. Following the
American Revolutionary War and before becoming president in 1801, Jefferson was the nation's first
U.S. secretary of state under
George Washington and then the nation's second
vice president under
John Adams. Jefferson was a leading proponent of democracy,
republicanism, and
natural rights, and he produced formative documents and decisions at the state, national, and international levels. This
line engraved portrait was produced by the
Bureau of Engraving and Printing for the
United States two-dollar bill.
Engraving credit: Bureau of Engraving and Printing; restored by Godot13