Episodes
Jefferson Part I, Early Life and Virginia
Shadwell to the Declaration: the education, the rough draft, and the Virginia reforms.
Jefferson Part II, Paris and the Presidency
The French years, the first opposition party, Louisiana, and the documents of power.
Jefferson Part III, Retirement and the Final Record
Monticello, the Adams correspondence, the University, and July 4, 1826.
From the Record
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Thomas Jefferson · Declaration of Independence · July 4, 1776 · National Archives
Key Documents in the Archive
The Rough Draught of the Declaration, with the deleted slave trade passage
Library of Congress
The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom · 1786
Yale Avalon Project
Letter to the Danbury Baptists · January 1, 1802
Library of Congress
Monticello Research, Jefferson Papers and Spurious Quotations
Monticello · Thomas Jefferson Foundation
Browse Further
The Full Archive →
52 episodes, 347 primary documents, 30 founders, browse by founder or topic.
A Note from the Founder
If you learned something new or just enjoyed the content, please share it and follow along on X and Substack. This page runs on a passion for our shared history, and a steady supply of caffeine. If you're able, consider buying a coffee. It goes a long way toward keeping the content coming, and helps the project grow into new mediums down the road. My sincere thanks.
- Jeff, FounderThe Founders' Record