Thomas Jefferson

(April 13, 1732 - July , 1826)

Thomas Jefferson was born Albemarle County, Virginia. He started his career as a lawyer. He was a member of the Continental Congress from 1775 through 1776 and from 1783 through 1784. He was chairman of the committee that wrote the Declaration of Independence. He was Governor of Virginia from 1779 through 1781, Secretary of State under President Washington from 1789 through 1793, Vice President under President John Adams and elected the 3rd President of the United States where he served two terms.

As President, he was responsible for the US buying the Louisiana Territory from France.