A Timeline of Thomas Jefferson's Life

Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743, at his father's plantation of Shadwell in Virginia. His father was named Peter Jefferson. His mother was...

Peter Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson's father, dies. Thomas Jefferson inherits his father's land and property. This included approximately 5,000 acres of...

Jefferson attends the College of William and Mary beginning at age 17 in 1760 for two years. Then, he studies law for five years with George Wythe in ...

Thomas Jefferson designed Monticello, which was built by enslaved workers. The "First Monticello," sometimes called "Monticello I," refers to the firs...

Thomas Jefferson was 28 when he married 23-year-old widow Martha Wayles Skelton. They were married for ten years, and had six children together. Only ...

Thomas and Martha Jefferson's oldest child, Martha, was born. She later married Thomas Mann Randolph and had twelve children, eleven of whom survived ...

The enslaved woman Sally Hemings is born in 1773. The exact date and month is not known. Tradition holds that she is the child of Martha Wayles Skelto...

Thomas Jefferson becomes one of the delegates to the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Thomas and Martha Jefferson's fourth child, a daughter named Maria, is born. She later marries John Wayles Eppes, and has a surviving son, Francis Epp...

Thomas Jefferson served two one-year terms as Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, from from June 2, 1779, until June 3, 1781.

Thomas Jefferson served two one-year terms as Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, from from June 2, 1779, until June 3, 1781.

Thomas Jefferson's wife, Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson, died at home at Monticello after ten years of marriage. She is buried at Monticello.

While serving a five year term as Minister, or ambassador, to France, Thomas Jefferson's task was to promote American interests, not only in France bu...

Thomas Jefferson's only published book was Notes on the State of Virginia. You can learn more about it here: https://www.monticello.org/thomas-jeffe...

Thomas Jefferson served as the first Secretary of State under President George Washington from 1790 to 1793.

Enslaved chef James Hemings was freed by Thomas Jefferson in 1796. You can learn more about James Hemings here: https://www.monticello.org/research-...

Thomas Jefferson served as Vice President of the United States under second President of the United States, John Adams. Learn more about Thomas Jeff...

Beverly Hemings was the oldest child of Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson to live to adulthood. Beverly left Monticello with his sister Harriet aroun...

Harriet Hemings was the oldest daughter of Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson to survive to adulthood. She was allowed to leave Monticello to live in ...

Thomas Jefferson became the third President of the United States on March 4, 1801. Learn more about his presidency here: https://www.monticello.org/...

The United States purchased the Louisiana territory, including New Orleans, for $15 million from France in 1803. The acquisition of approximately 827,...

Maria Jefferson Eppes was the youngest surviving daughter of Thomas Jefferson and his wife Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson.

The Corps of Discovery, led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, would travel approximately 8000 miles on a round trip journey that lasted until Sep...

Madison Hemings was the third child and second surviving son of Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson. Madison Hemings (1805-1877) was the second surv...

The Corps of Discovery completes its expedition in St. Louis and send word to Thomas Jefferson. Learn more here: https://www.monticello.org/thomas-j...

Eston Hemings was the youngest surviving child of Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson. Eston Hemings was the youngest son of Sally Hemings and Thomas...

At the conclusion of his second term as President of the United States, and with the inauguration of the fourth President, James Madison, Thomas Jeffe...

Following the destruction of the Library of Congress after the British occupation of Washington, D.C., Thomas Jefferson sold his collection of 6,707 b...

Learn more about Jefferson and the University of Virginia here: https://www.monticello.org/thomas-jefferson/jefferson-s-three-greatest-achievements/th...

The Marquis de Lafayette arrived at Monticello on November 4, 1824 for a ten day visit during his tour of the United States. His reunion with Thomas J...

Jefferson included the creation of the University of Virginia as one of three accomplishments for which he most wished to be remembered. Years after t...

Thomas Jefferson died at the age of 83 at Monticello on July 4, 1826, fifty years to the day after the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Jo...