Encyclopedia
A Bill for the More General Diffusion of Knowledge
Jefferson's "Bill for the More General Diffusion of Knowledge" was his most enduring work on the subject of education.
Writing
Articles about Jefferson's writings and correspondence written by Monticello researchers and scholars.
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![Printed version of Jefferson's "A Bill for the more general diffusion of Knowledge"]()
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![List of canons of conduct in Thomas Jefferson's hand]()
EncyclopediaCanons of Conduct
A look at two lists by Thomas Jefferson with his advice about how to conduct one's behavior in life.
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![Envelope that often accompanies the Peyton letter facsimile]()
EncyclopediaCraven Peyton Letter Facsimiles
Find out why so many people continue to mistake facsimile of a letter to Craven Peyton as an original Jefferson document.
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EncyclopediaDeclaration of Independence Desk
One of the most precious historical relics of the United States is the lap desk or writing box upon which Thomas Jefferson wrote his draft of the Declaration of Independence.
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![Framed engraving of the Declaration by John Binns (1819) feature a ring of 16 small portraits of various Founders]()
EncyclopediaDeclaration of Independence Printings and Engravings
Jefferson owned several prints and copies of the Declaration of Independence, including his rough draft, and displayed some of them at Monticello.
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EncyclopediaEditions of Jefferson's Writings
Since Jefferson's death, there have been five published versions of his writings, including the ongoing print and digital Papers of Thomas Jefferson projects at Monticello and Princeton University.
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EncyclopediaElementary School Act
The Elementary School Act, Thomas Jefferson's "Bill for Establishing Elementary Schools," was proposed legislation that was never officially adopted.
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![Text in the Jefferson's handwriting that reads "And never -- never forget That Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to god."]()
StoryHiding in the Archives - Identifying a Priceless Jefferson Manuscript of 1776
“Rebellion to tyrants is Obedience to God” – We have come to think of this impassioned phrase as distinctly Jefferson, but there’s more to this story.
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Howard C. Rice, Jr.
Howard C. Rice, Jr. was an Associate Professor at Princeton University who specialized in French-American relations during the Early Republic era.
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EncyclopediaJefferson Manuscript Collections
A list of significant collections of Thomas Jefferson manuscripts located at various institutions across the United States and beyond.
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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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![Jefferson's handwritten copy of the Declaration with edits and crossouts.]()
StoryJefferson's Longest Week
We've all had moments where we lose track of what day it is. In the summer of 1776, Thomas Jefferson was no exception.
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EncyclopediaLast Will and Testament
Read a transcription of Thomas Jefferson's last will and testament which included the freeing of five people enslaved at Monticello.
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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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EncyclopediaNumber of Letters Jefferson Wrote
A look at how the number of letters Thomas Jefferson wrote during his lifetime has been calculated.
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![Jefferson Memorial 1973 U S 10 cent stamp; image courtesy U.S. Postal Museum.]()
EncyclopediaPostal Service
A brief look at the early history of the U.S. postal service with a selected list of references in Jefferson's correspondence.
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![A view of Jefferson's Cabinet office focusing on his writing arrangement of revolving desk with Polygraph, chair with candlesticks, bench, and revolving stand.]()
EncyclopediaPseudonyms
Did Thomas Jefferson ever use a pseudonym in any of his writings?
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![Closeup of Pursuit of Happiness from the Stone engraving of the Declaration of Independence; image courtesy National Archives; Public Domain]()
EncyclopediaPursuit of Happiness
Find out what we know about what Thomas Jefferson meant by "pursuit of happiness."
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![The Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC, lit up at night under a purplish evening sky.]()
EncyclopediaQuotations on the Jefferson Memorial
See which of Jefferson's quotes appear in the Jefferson Memorial in DC and find how they were edited from his original writings.
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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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EncyclopediaSummary Journal of Letters
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StoryThe Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: A Look at Penmanship
So many letters, so many handwriting styles.
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![A small writing desk with two pens joined side-by-side on a bar joined to a pantograph apparatus consisting of hinged arms, rollers, and springs all supported by a wooden frame.]()
StoryThe Infamous Craven Peyton Letter of 1803
At least once every year I have the unpleasant task of having to tell someone that what they have got is not an original Jefferson document.
