Thomas Jefferson | |
|---|---|
 Portrait by Mather Brown, c. 1786 | |
| 3rd President of the United States | |
| In office March 4, 1801 – March 4, 1809 | |
| Vice President | Aaron Burr George Clinton |
| Preceded by | John Adams |
| Succeeded by | James Madison |
| 2nd Vice President of the United States | |
| In office March 4, 1797 – March 4, 1801 | |
| President | John Adams |
| Preceded by | John Adams |
| Succeeded by | Aaron Burr |
| 1st United States Secretary of State | |
| In office March 22, 1790 – December 31, 1793 | |
| President | George Washington |
| Preceded by | John Jay (Acting) |
| Succeeded by | Edmund Randolph |
| United States Minister to France | |
| In office May 17, 1785 – September 26, 1789 | |
| Appointed by | Congress of the Confederation |
| Preceded by | Benjamin Franklin |
| Succeeded by | William Short |
| Delegate to the Congress of the Confederation from Virginia | |
| In office November 3, 1783 – May 7, 1784 | |
| Preceded by | James Madison |
| Succeeded by | Richard Henry Lee |
| 2nd Governor of Virginia | |
| In office June 1, 1779 – June 3, 1781 | |
| Preceded by | Patrick Henry |
| Succeeded by | William Fleming |
| Delegate to the Second Continental Congress from Virginia | |
| In office June 20, 1775 – September 26, 1776 | |
| Preceded by | George Washington |
| Succeeded by | John Harvie |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 13, 1743 Shadwell, Colony of Virginia |
| Died | July 4, 1826 (aged 83) Charlottesville, Virginia, US |
| Political party | Democratic-Republican |
| Spouse | Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson |
| Children | Martha Jane Mary Lucy Lucy Elizabeth Unnamed son |
| Residence(s) | Monticello Poplar Forest |
| Alma mater | College of William and Mary |
| Profession | Planter Lawyer College Administrator |
| Signature |  |
Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, was involved in politics from his early adult years. This article covers his early life and career, through his writing the Declaration of Independence, participation in the American Revolutionary War, serving as governor of Virginia, and election and service as Vice President to President John Adams.
Born into the planter class of Virginia, Jefferson was highly educated and valued his years at the College of William and Mary. He became an attorney and planter, building on the estate and 20–40 slaves inherited from his father.