Beginning of Essay
Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826), third president of the United States (1801-1809) and author of the Declaration of Independence. He was a philosopher, educator, naturalist, politician, scientist, architect, inventor, pioneer in scientific farming, musician, and writ ....

Middle of Essay
.... as a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses, the lower chamber of the Virginia legislature, when he married Martha Wayles Skelton in 1772. Jefferson took an active part in the events that led to the American Revolution (1775-1783). His literary talents made him a highly valued member of committees when public papers were drafted. Early in 1774 the colonies were angered by the British Parliament's passage of what were called the Intolerable Acts. One of these, the Boston Port Act, closed the harbor of Boston, Massachusetts, in retaliation for a protest incident. Jefferson was one who controversially suggested that the day the act went into eff ....