The Life and Selected Writings of Thomas Jefferson

ΓÇ£Jefferson aspired beyond the ambition of a nationality,and embraced in his view the whole future of man.ΓÇ¥ΓÇöHenry Adams Thomas Jefferson (1743ΓÇô1826) left a vast literary legacy in the form of journal entriesnotesaddressesand seventy thousand letters. This extraordinary volume represents many of his most important contributions to American political thought. It features his Autobiographywhich contains the original and revised versions of the Declaration of Independence; the Anasor Notes (1791ΓÇô1809); Biographical Sketches; selections from Notes on the State of Virginiathe Travel Journalsand Essay on Anglo-Saxon; a portion of his public papersincluding his first and second inaugural addresses; and more than two hundred letters. Taken togetherthese writings offer indispensable insight into the mind of the man who was instrumental in formulating and guiding this nationΓÇÖs principles. From the Preface: This selection from the writings of Thomas Jefferson is planned to be a comprehensive presentation of his thought. The greatest amount of space has been allotted to his lettersin the belief that they are of primary importance in revealing the man and his intellect. JeffersonΓÇÖs two original full-length worksthe Notes on Virginia and the Autobiographyare given virtually complete. Along with his best-known public papersselections from his minor writings are also included. Togetherall these serve to depict the man who more aptly than any of his countrymen might be called the American Leonardo.