HALL OF THE SECRETARIES OF STATE

Thomas Jefferson

State of Residency:	Virginia
Appointment:	Sep 26, 1789
Entry on Duty:	Mar 22, 1790
Termination of Appointment:	Dec 31, 1793
Presidency:	Washington

As Secretary of State:

Successfully administered a policy of neutrality in the war between Great Britain and France

Foreign Travels:

Profile
Born: April 13, 1743
Died: July 4, 1826
Married: Martha (Wayles) Skelton
Education: College of William and Mary
Occupation: Lawyer

Government Positions:

Member of the Virginia House of Burgesses 1769-1775
Member of the Continental Congress 1775-1776
Prepared first draft of the Declaration of Independence and signed the final Delaration
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates 1776-1779
Governor of Virginia 1779-1781
One of three Ministers named in 1784 to negotiate treaties with European nations and the BarBary States
Minister to France 1785-1789
Vice President of the United States 1797-1801
President of the United States 1801-1809

Notable Events

Engaged in literary, architectural, scientific, and agricultural pursuits

Participated in the founding and served as rector of the University of Virginia

After the burning of Washington in the War of 1812, Jefferson sold his extensive library to the government to form the Library of Congress

In his retirement he wrote Notes on the State of Virginia, a scientific compilation that mirrored his philosophic views

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Last Updated: Feb 2, 2001
Designed by Tiffeni Fontno.

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