Encyclopedia
Anglo-Saxon Language
Learn about Jefferson's lifelong interest in Anglo Saxon language and history, which he thought fundamental to North American culture.
Books
Articles related to Jefferson's lifelong love of books and reading.
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![The first page of the Beowulf manuscript with its opening Hƿæt ƿē Gārde/na ingēar dagum þēod cyninga / þrym ge frunon... "Listen! We of the Spear-Danes from days of yore have heard of the glory of the nation-kings..."; image courtesy British Library, London.]()
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![Antique books illustrating titles owned by Thomas Jefferson on a shelf in the Library at Monticello.]()
EncyclopediaBook Boxes
Discover the design and function of the book boxes (also called "book cases" or "book presses") Jefferson used to house and transport his library collection.
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![Jefferson's octagonal floor plan for his retreat home Poplar Forest]()
EncyclopediaBookcase for Petit-Format Books
Learn about the design of a bookcase for petit format books in Jefferson's library at Poplar Forest.
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![A room with small windows, a bed, a cradle and various children's toys]()
EncyclopediaChildren's Reading
Investigate Jefferson's thoughts on children's literature and the significance of reading for young minds.
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ShopDeclaration Book Club Paperback
Designed to spark thoughtful conversation, this accessible volume brings together short readings, historical context, and discussion prompts that invite readers to explore the meaning of America’s founding document, then and now.
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![Image of 2 books on the Declaration of Independence]()
ShopDeclare & Declaration Book Club Set
Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with this engaging two-book set from Monticello. Featuring the Declaration Book Club and Declare: A Civic Gospel, this bundle offers a rich exploration of America’s founding ideals, past and present.
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![Title page of a Spanish-language edition of Don Quixote]()
EncyclopediaDon Quixote (Novel)
Thomas Jefferson reported using Cervantes's novel, Don Quixote, to teach himself Spanish and had his children do the same.
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![Johnson, Samuel. A Dictionary of the English Language. London, W. Strahan, 1773. Image provided with support from the Digital Support Services Team at the University of Florida’s George A. Smathers Libraries]()
EncyclopediaEnglish Language Dictionaries
Thomas Jefferson owned a number of English language dictionaries.
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![Antique books illustrating titles owned by Thomas Jefferson on a shelf in the Library at Monticello.]()
EncyclopediaI cannot live without books (Quotation)
In an 1815 letter to John Adams, Jefferson declared he could not live without books.
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Story“I cannot live without books.”
Endrina Tay, Fiske and Marie Kimball Librarian, explores Thomas Jefferson's decision to sell his beloved personal library to the Library of Congress.
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![Antique books illustrating titles owned by Thomas Jefferson on a shelf in the Library at Monticello.]()
PageJefferson and Books
Explore Jefferson's lifelong interest in books and reading and the sale of his 6,500 volume collection to the Library of Congress in 1815.
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![Jefferson's bookmark on the I-gathering of his copy of Publii Virgilii Maronis Carmina Omnia]()
EncyclopediaJefferson's Bookmarks
Thomas Jefferson had a peculiar way of marking his ownership of his books that took advantage of common printing practices of his day.
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![A view into the book room/library at Monticello showing various pieces of furniture including book shelves, a table and chair, and chests of drawers.]()
EncyclopediaLibrary (Book Room)
The Library at Monticello held many of Thomas Jefferson's 6,000 book and functioned as a workspace for managing correspondence, architectural drafting, and recordkeeping.
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![Three rows of the word Monticello in a serif-style font]()
EncyclopediaMonticello Typeface
The origins of the Monticello typeface reach back from America's first successful type foundry to a 20th-century version used by the Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
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![Spine of Jefferson's Notes on the State of Virginia; 1787 Stockdale Edition with a modern binding; image courtesy Special Collections, University of Virginia,]()
EncyclopediaNotes on the State of Virginia
“Notes on the State of Virginia,” the only book Jefferson wrote, was both well-regarded and controversial. Frequently reprinted in his lifetime, “Notes” is a "tour d'horizon" of Jefferson's interests and ideas on a wide range of subjects.
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![Title pages of a copy of the Koran owned by Thomas Jefferson.]()
EncyclopediaQur'an owned by Thomas Jefferson
Jefferson purchased a copy of the Qur'an while studying the law under his mentor, George Wythe, in Williamsburg.
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EncyclopediaSale of Books to the Library of Congress (1815)
Find out how many books Jefferson sold to the U.S. to form the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.
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![Antique books illustrating titles owned by Thomas Jefferson on a shelf in the Library at Monticello.]()
EncyclopediaShort Title List
A list of works that are referred to frequently in the Thomas Jefferson Encyclopedia.
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![Antique books illustrating titles owned by Thomas Jefferson on a shelf in the Library at Monticello.]()
EncyclopediaSkipwith Book List
Jefferson created a "booklist for a private library" including the fine arts, history, religion, politics, trade, and "natural philosophy" for his brother-in-law in 1771.
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![Jefferson's bookmark on the I-gathering of his copy of Publii Virgilii Maronis Carmina Omnia]()
EncyclopediaSuggested Reading List
A list of suggested books and other reading material related to Thomas Jefferson. his world, and Monticello, organized by topic.
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![Public Domain]()
EncyclopediaSystem of Nature
Thomas Jefferson owned several editions of "The System of Nature," a 1770 work of philosophy by Baron d'Holbach,
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![The Jefferson Bible opened to the page with its full title written in Jefferson's hand.]()
EncyclopediaThe Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth
A look at why Jefferson cut apart a bible to create his own bound version of the Gospels, now often referred to as The Jefferson Bible.
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![One of the Bibles Thomas Jefferson cut from to create his own version of the Gospels turned to a page with four sections missing.]()
EncyclopediaThe Philosophy of Jesus of Nazareth
Jefferson's 1st attempt to distill the original tenets of Christianity, "The Philosophy of Jesus of Nazareth," became part of what is now called The Jefferson Bible.
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EncyclopediaThe Works of Homer
Learn about Thomas Jefferson's fondness for the works of the ancient Greek poet Homer, and the different editions of Homer in Jefferson's libraries.
