Week #2

When death finally comes knocking on our door, how do you think you will be remembered by others? Will it be good or bad? Thomas Jefferson made sure that his gravestone inscription had only the words that he wrote about himself and not a word different. On his gravestone it said:            
Here was buried
Thomas Jefferson
Author of the Declaration of American Independence
of the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom
Father of the University of Virginia

Thomas Jefferson wanted to be remembered more by the things he did, instead of the actual person he was. If I were to change the inscription of Thomas Jefferson's gravestone today, I would include "Loving Father and Husband," because that was a big part of his life. Jefferson was a loving and loyal husband to his wife; he didn't even remarry because his wife told him not to before she died. He was also a loving father to his children, even though many passed away very young. These two things help shape a person into who they are. If Jefferson was never a father or husband who knows what kind of person he would of been? Would he have been the same or a completely different person? This is why I believe this should of been included on his gravestone along with the great accomplishment he acquired. 




While watching the video on Thomas Jefferson in class on Tuesday, I found somethings about Jefferson I had never known before. I found it very interesting to find out that he wasn't good at talking in public. I would of never thought that he would have such an issue with public speaking since he was always in the public eye. You would think that if someone preferred to keep to themselves and not speak in front of big crowds, that they wouldn't run for president or try to hold positions where you are consistently looked at by the public. I guess we will never understand the motives behind Jefferson's decision to become such an important and public person in history.

Intro to Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson has been known throughout history as an historical figure. Thomas Jefferson is a man that no one can ever forget because of the monumental things he did and the person he was. He was the author of the Declaration of Independence, third president of the United States, etc. Thomas Jefferson did and spoke about many things, but one thing that sticks with me the most about what I have learned about him, so far, is how he spoke of equality for all and yet remained a slave owner. I feel that if he really did believe that "all men are created equal" than why would he keep slaves on his land. He owned a large sum of slaves, but yet continued to be hypocritical and spoke about everyone being equals towards one another. It bothers me that he didn't stick to what he put in the Declaration of Independence and what he would tell his country. If he truly believed everyone were equals he would either set all of his slaves free or at least pay them for the work they did for him at Monticello.