Growing up Jefferson was my #1 hero. I’d been to Monticello, loved him in 1776, read everything I could about him.
Then the Adams mini series came out. And I started teaching American History. And the thing about being a teacher is that you’re always learning more (hopefully) and sometimes your views change and mature.
Jefferson is no longer #1. He’s still way up there, but I’m more realistic in my views on him. He makes me wish that we had had a Hamilton presidency, in 1797. And maybe in 1800, as well.
With all of his other contributions to literature, politics, science, and so forth, it’s nice to see that Jefferson also invented air quotes! (Or did he merely “popularize” them?)
I really believe Jefferson and Hemmings had a love affair.
He took her on several trips to England and Europe. At the time, any slave who set foot on either place was automatically free, and yet she returned to America with him each time. She was well educated and could have made a home for herself in England quite nicely. It was illegal for blacks and whites to marry in America – then and for a long time afterward – and unthinkable for Jefferson to settle outside the colonies.
Brian Carroll creator about 6 years ago
Happy 275th Birthday, Thomas Jefferson!
Masterskrain Premium Member about 6 years ago
And Happy ??? Birthday, whenever it is, to Trump’s Lil’ Bastard kid!
happyhollow about 6 years ago
I do not condone anyone’s weaknesses, but the harsh comments about the children does little to hold the wrong doer accountable for anything.
Motivemagus about 6 years ago
The actual word, for those who don’t know, is “slave.”
Durak Premium Member about 6 years ago
Growing up Jefferson was my #1 hero. I’d been to Monticello, loved him in 1776, read everything I could about him.
Then the Adams mini series came out. And I started teaching American History. And the thing about being a teacher is that you’re always learning more (hopefully) and sometimes your views change and mature.
Jefferson is no longer #1. He’s still way up there, but I’m more realistic in my views on him. He makes me wish that we had had a Hamilton presidency, in 1797. And maybe in 1800, as well.
Smitty about 6 years ago
It’s TJ’s birthday and he doesn’t even get to enjoy a glass of wine?
Durak Premium Member about 6 years ago
Y’all may enjoy this. It may be old, and, at times, goofy, but it nails the relationship between Hamilton and Jefferson.
https://archive.org/details/HamiltonAndJeffersonOnDemocracy
Godfreydaniel about 6 years ago
With all of his other contributions to literature, politics, science, and so forth, it’s nice to see that Jefferson also invented air quotes! (Or did he merely “popularize” them?)
Dani Rice about 6 years ago
I really believe Jefferson and Hemmings had a love affair.
He took her on several trips to England and Europe. At the time, any slave who set foot on either place was automatically free, and yet she returned to America with him each time. She was well educated and could have made a home for herself in England quite nicely. It was illegal for blacks and whites to marry in America – then and for a long time afterward – and unthinkable for Jefferson to settle outside the colonies.