Jefferson and Lifelong Learning

"The bulk of mankind are school boys thro’ life."
- Thomas Jefferson, 1818

Lifelong Education ... The School of Life ... An Educated Electorate ... The University of Virginia

Lifelong Education

Jefferson never lost his curiosity to know more.

Classes Jefferson's formal education set the stage for his enduring belief that "Knowledge indeed is a desirable, a lovely possession."

Collections Jefferson collected books on every subject, including works of fiction and non-fiction, all with a view that "free inquiry must be indulged."

Correspondence Jefferson observed "the letters of a person, especially of one whose business has been chiefly transacted by letters, form the only full and genuine journal of his life."

The School of Life

"The wise know their weakness too well to assume infallibility; and he who knows most, knows best how little he knows."

-Thomas Jefferson, 1812

The Enlightenment Jefferson's embrace of the Enlightenment philosophy strongly influenced his belief that human, political, and scientific progress was infinite.

Benjamin Franklin Franklin's mentorship was a powerful influence in Jefferson's transformation to become the "Sage of Monticello" and America's leading advocate for expanding "useful knowledge."

Benjamin Rush Benjamin Rush and Thomas Jefferson honed one another's thirst for knowledge in every field of inquiry.

An Educated Electorate

"To give to every citizen the information he needs...to understand his duties to his neighbors and country...to know his rights..."
- Thomas Jefferson, 1818

Education and The Art of Citizenship Thomas Jefferson believed only educated citizens could make the American experiment in self-government succeed.

An Informed Citizenry This livestream explores Jefferson’s ideas about what it meant to be a citizen, the people who were left out of that definition, and what this history can teach Americans today.

Elections Jefferson wrote: "Whenever the people are well informed, they may be trusted with their own government.

The University of Virginia

"This institution will be based on the illimitable freedom of the human mind."
- Thomas Jefferson, 1820

The Hobby of My Old Age Thomas Jefferson, "father of the University of Virginia," designed the grounds to reflect his educational philosophy

An Idea Becomes an Institution Explore the Thomas Jefferson Encyclopedia's articles on the founding of the University of Virginia

Timeline A History of the University of Virginia

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Jefferson's Letters Jefferson's "pen pals" included people from every walk of life.

Martha Jefferson Randolph Jefferson's oldest child, Martha, shared her father's lifelong love of learning and, through his encouragement, became well-educated at a time when formal higher education was denied to women.

"The Education We Stole for Ourselves" While Jefferson did not promote nor forbid educating those he enslaved, several members of Monticello's enslaved community became literate.

Enlightened Educational Reform Jefferson's "A Bill for the More General Diffusion of Knowledge," failed passage in Virginia's House of Delegates, but helped reform the curriculum of The College of William and Mary.

Teaching his Grandchildren Thomas Jefferson took a keen interest in the education of his children and grandchildren, as evidenced by his influence of Francis Eppes' scholarly endeavors.

A Reading List for Children Check out a reading list for the education, instruction, and entertainment of children compiled from Jefferson's recommendations.