Thomas Jefferson's Private Life
Although much of Jefferson's life was spent in the political spotlight, he still kept a private life.
Thomas Jefferson's Family
Thomas Jefferson got married to Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson in 1772. Martha and Thomas had six children but only Martha and Mary lived to adulthood. There were 5 girls and 1 boy. Martha died in 1782 due to poor health conditions. Thomas and Martha were married for only 10 years due to her death. Martha Jefferson Randolph (eldest daughter) died in 1836 and Mary Jefferson Eppes (daughter) died in 1804.
University of VirginiaThe University of Virginia was founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson had always been passionate about education and was very pleased when the Virginia General Assembly made a charter for a central college in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1816. Jefferson went to work on founding and planning the University of Virginia. In 1825 the University was opened to the public, only one year before Jefferson passed away. The university was the first to use the elective system and was the first nonsectarian university. Jefferson thought of the founding of the university as one of his greatest achievements.
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Thomas Jefferson's Death
Thomas Jefferson died on July 4th, 1826 at Monticello. That day was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. John Adams a founding father and one of Jefferson's close friends died the same day. The quote down below is what Jefferson insisted be on his grave stone.
"Here was buried |