Editing Thomas Jefferson (section)

==Post-presidency (1809–1826)==
{{further|Thomas Jefferson and education}}

After his presidency, Jefferson remained influential and continued to correspond with many of the country's leaders (including his two protégées, Madison and Monroe, who succeeded him as president); the [[Monroe Doctrine]] strongly resembles solicited advice that Jefferson gave to Monroe in 1823.<ref>[[#Meacham|Meacham, 2012]], pp. 481–482.</ref><ref>[[#Ellis96|Ellis, 1996]], p. 232; [[#Meacham|Meacham, 2012]], pp. 463–465.</ref>

===University of Virginia===
{{Main|University of Virginia}}
[[File:Lawn UVa Rotunda Pavilions II and IV.jpg|thumb|The [[University of Virginia]] in [[Charlottesville, Virginia|Charlottesville]], which Jefferson founded in January 1819]]

Jefferson envisioned a university free of church influences where students could specialize in new areas not offered at other colleges. He believed that education engendered a stable society, which should provide publicly funded schools accessible based solely on ability.<ref>[[#UVALibrary|U Va. Library]]</ref> He initially proposed his university in a letter to [[Joseph Priestley]] in 1800<ref>[[#Adams88|Adams, 1888]], p. 48.</ref> and, in 1819, founded the [[University of Virginia]]. He organized the state legislative campaign for its charter and, with the assistance of [[Edmund Bacon (1785–1866)|Edmund Bacon]], purchased the location. He was the principal designer of the buildings, planned the university's curriculum, and served as the first rector upon its opening in 1825.<ref name="Peterson 1970 ch11">[[#Peterson70|Peterson, 1970]], ch. 11 [e-book].</ref>

Jefferson was a strong disciple of Greek and Roman architectural styles, which he believed to be most representative of American democracy. Each academic unit, called a pavilion, was designed with a two-story temple front, while the library "Rotunda" was modeled on the [[Pantheon, Rome|Roman Pantheon]]. Jefferson referred to the university's grounds as the "[[The Lawn|Academical Village]]", and he reflected his educational ideas in its layout. The ten pavilions included classrooms and faculty residences; they formed a quadrangle and were connected by colonnades, behind which stood the student rooms. Gardens and vegetable plots were placed behind the pavilions and were surrounded by [[Crinkle crankle wall|serpentine walls]], affirming the importance of the agrarian lifestyle.<ref>[[#Hogan87|Hogan, 1987]], pp. 28–29.</ref> The university had a library rather than a church at its center, emphasizing its secular nature—controversial at the time.<ref>[[#Gordon08|Gordon-Reed, 2008]], p. 649.</ref>

When Jefferson died in 1826, James Madison replaced him as rector.<ref>[[#TJFMadison|TJF: James Madison]]</ref> Jefferson bequeathed most of his reconstructed library of almost 2,000 volumes to the university.<ref>[[#Crawford2008|Crawford, 2008]], p. 235.</ref> Only one other ex-president has founded a university; [[Millard Fillmore]] founded the [[University at Buffalo]] in 1846.<ref>{{cite web |title=Millard Fillmore |url=https://www.buffalo.edu/news/key-issues/Millard-Fillmore.html |website=University Of Buffalo |access-date=November 24, 2022}}</ref>

===Reconciliation with Adams===
[[File:Gilbert Stuart, Abigail Smith Adams (Mrs. John Adams), 1800-1815, NGA 42934.jpg|thumb|In 1804, [[Abigail Adams]], wife and confidant of [[John Adams]], was one of several people who intervened in an attempt to reconcile differences between Jefferson and John Adams. Jefferson and Adams ultimately reconciled, established a lengthy correspondence and renewed friendship, which historian [[David McCullough]] has called "one of the most extraordinary correspondences in American history." On July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson and Adams died within hours of each other, which then U.S. president [[John Quincy Adams]] called "visible and palpable remarks of Divine Favor."]]
Jefferson and [[John Adams]] became good friends in the first decades of their political careers, serving together in the Continental Congress in the 1770s and in Europe in the 1780s. The Federalist/Republican split of the 1790s divided them, however, and Adams felt betrayed by Jefferson's sponsorship of partisan attacks, such as those of James Callender. Jefferson was angered by Adams' appointment of "midnight judges".<ref name=Freeman2008>[[#Freeman1|Freeman, 2008]], p.  12.</ref> The two men did not communicate directly for more than a decade after Jefferson succeeded Adams as president.<ref>[[#Ellis03|Ellis, 2003]], pp. 207, 209.</ref> A brief correspondence took place between [[Abigail Adams]] and Jefferson after Jefferson's daughter Polly died in 1804, in an attempt at reconciliation unknown to Adams. However, an exchange of letters resumed open hostilities between Adams and Jefferson.<ref name=Freeman2008/>

As early as 1809, [[Benjamin Rush]] began to prod the two through correspondence to re-establish contact.<ref name=Freeman2008/> In 1812, Adams wrote a short New Year's greeting to Jefferson, prompted earlier by Rush, to which Jefferson warmly responded. This initial correspondence began what historian [[David McCullough]] calls "one of the most extraordinary correspondences in American history".<ref>[[#McCullough|McCullough, 2001]], pp. 603–605.</ref> Over the next 14 years, Jefferson and Adams exchanged 158 letters discussing their political differences, justifying their respective roles in events, and debating the revolution's import to the world.<ref>[[#Ellis03|Ellis, 2003]], pp. 213, 230.</ref>

When Adams died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, his last words were an acknowledgment of his longtime friend and rival. "Thomas Jefferson survives", Adams said, unaware that Jefferson had died a few hours earlier.<ref>[[#McCullough|McCullough, 2001]], p. 646.</ref><ref>[[#Ellis03|Ellis, 2003]], p. 248.</ref><ref>[https://blogs.loc.gov/headlinesandheroes/2022/07/deaths-of-john-adams-and-thomas-jefferson-on-july-4th/ "Deaths of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson on July 4th"], Library of Congress, July 6, 2022</ref>

===Autobiography===
In 1821, at the age of 77, Jefferson began writing his ''Autobiography of Thomas Jefferson: 1743–1790'', in which he said he sought to "state some recollections of dates and facts concerning myself".<ref name=Jeffbio>[[#Bio|Autobiography of Thomas Jefferson, 1743–1790]]</ref> He focused on the struggles and achievements he experienced until July 29, 1790, where the narrative stopped short.<ref>[[#Bernstein03|Berstein, 2003]], p. 179.</ref> He excluded his youth, emphasizing the revolutionary era. He related that his ancestors came from Wales to America in the early 17th century and settled in the western frontier of the Virginia colony, which influenced his zeal for individual and state rights. Jefferson described his father as uneducated, but with a "strong mind and sound judgement". He also addressed his enrollment in the [[College of William & Mary]] and his election to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia in 1775.<ref name=Jeffbio/>

He expressed opposition to the idea of a privileged [[aristocracy]] made up of large landowning families partial to the King, and instead promoted "the aristocracy of virtue and talent, which nature has wisely provided for the direction of the interests of society, & scattered with equal hand through all its conditions, was deemed essential to a well-ordered republic".<ref name=Jeffbio/> The work is primarily concerned with the Declaration and reforming the government of Virginia. He used notes, letters, and documents to tell many of the stories. He suggested that this history was so rich that his personal affairs were better overlooked, but he incorporated a self-analysis using the Declaration and other patriotism.<ref>[[#self|Hamelman, 2002, Journal]]</ref>

===Greek War of Independence===
Thomas Jefferson was a [[Philhellenism|philhellene]], lover of Greek culture, who sympathized with the [[Greek War of Independence]].{{sfn|Kaufman|Macpherson|2005|p=427}}{{sfn|Jacavone|2017|p=17}} He has been described as the most influential of the [[Founding Fathers of the United States|Founding Fathers]] who supported the Greek cause,{{sfn|Jacavone|2017|p=17}}{{sfn|Earle|1927|p=49}} viewing it as similar to the [[American Revolution]].{{sfn|Jacavone|2017|p=29}} By 1823, Jefferson was exchanging ideas with Greek scholar [[Adamantios Korais]].{{sfn|Jacavone|2017|p=17}} Jefferson advised Korais on building the political system of [[Greece]] by using [[classical liberalism]] and examples from the American governmental system, ultimately prescribing a government akin to that of a U.S. state.{{sfn|Jacavone|2017|p=18}} He also suggested the application of a [[classical education movement|classical education system]] for the newly founded [[First Hellenic Republic]].{{sfn|Jacavone|2017|p=19}} Jefferson's philosophical instructions were welcomed by the [[Greek people]].{{sfn|Jacavone|2017|p=19}} Korais became one of the designers of the [[Greek constitution]] and urged his associates to study Jefferson's works and other literature from the American Revolution.{{sfn|Jacavone|2017|p=19}}

===Lafayette's visit===
{{Main|Visit of the Marquis de Lafayette to the United States}}
[[File:Lafayette-scheffer.jpg|thumb|An 1824 portrait of the [[Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette|Marquis de Lafayette]] by [[Ary Scheffer]]]]

In the summer of 1824, the [[Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette|Marquis de Lafayette]] accepted an invitation from President [[James Monroe]] to visit the country. Jefferson and Lafayette had not seen each other since 1789. After visits to New York, [[New England]], and Washington, Lafayette arrived at [[Monticello]] on November 4.<ref name="Peterson 1970 ch11"/>

Jefferson's grandson [[Thomas Jefferson Randolph|Randolph]] was present and recorded the reunion: "As they approached each other, their uncertain gait quickened itself into a shuffling run, and exclaiming, 'Ah Jefferson!' 'Ah Lafayette!', they burst into tears as they fell into each other's arms." Jefferson and Lafayette then retired to the house to reminisce.<ref>[[#Mapp|Mapp, 1991]], p. 328.</ref> The next morning Jefferson, Lafayette, and James Madison attended a tour and banquet at the University of Virginia. Jefferson had someone else read a speech he had prepared for Lafayette, as his voice was weak and could not carry. This was his last public presentation. After an 11-day visit, Lafayette bid Jefferson goodbye and departed Monticello.<ref>[[#Malone81|Malone, 1981]], pp. 403–404; [[#Brodie|Brodie, 1998]], p. 460; [[#Crawford2008|Crawford, 2008]], pp. 202–203.</ref>

===Final days, death, and burial===
{{See also|Death of John Adams}}
[[File:Thomas Jefferson's Grave Site.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Obelisk at Thomas Jefferson's gravesite|Jefferson's gravesite at [[Monticello]]]]

Jefferson's approximately $100,000 of debt weighed heavily on his mind in his final months, as it became increasingly clear that he would have little to leave to his heirs.<ref>{{cite web |title=From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Jefferson Randolph, 8 February 1826|via=Founders Online, National Archives |access-date=February 19, 2025|url=https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/98-01-02-5893}}</ref><ref>{{citation |title=The Personal Finances of Presidents, Part 1: Thomas Jefferson |last1=Grinder|first1=Brian|last2=Cooper|first2=Dan|url=https://www.proquest.com/openview/2507249852f51075c95cca5f79b09fd6/1.pdf?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=1946335|date=October 1, 2022|access-date=February 19, 2025|via=Financial History}}</ref> In February 1826, he successfully applied to the General Assembly to hold a public lottery as a fundraiser.<ref name=Ellis288>[[#Ellis96|Ellis, 1996]], pp. 287–288.</ref> His health began to deteriorate in July 1825, due to a combination of [[rheumatism]] from arm and wrist injuries, and [[Gastrointestinal tract|intestinal]] and [[urology|urinary]] disorders.<ref name="Peterson 1970 ch11"/> By June 1826, he was confined to bed.<ref name=Ellis288/> On July 3, overcome by fever, Jefferson declined an invitation to attend an anniversary celebration of the Declaration in [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]].<ref>[[#Tucker37|Tucker, 1837]], v. 2, p. 551.</ref>

{{anchor|Death}}
During his last hours, he was accompanied by family members and friends. Jefferson died on July 4, 1826, at 12:50&nbsp;p.m. at age 83, on the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. In the moments prior to his death, Jefferson instructed his treating physician, "No, doctor, nothing more", refusing [[laudanum]]. But his final significant words were, "Is it the Fourth?" or "This is the Fourth".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/jeffersons-last-words|title=Jefferson's Last Words|last=Martin|first=Russell L.|date=June 7, 1988|website=Monticello|access-date=February 2, 2019}}</ref> When [[John Adams]] died later that same day, his last words were "Thomas Jefferson survives", though Adams was unaware that Jefferson had died several hours before.<ref>[[#McCullough|McCullough, 2001]], p. 646</ref><ref>[[#Ellis03|Ellis, 2003]], p. 248</ref><ref name="rayner428–29">[[#Rayner34|Rayner, 1834]], pp. 428–429.</ref><ref name=Berstein189>[[#Bernstein03|Bernstein, 2003]], p. 189.</ref> The sitting president was Adams's son, [[John Quincy Adams]], and he called the coincidence of their deaths on the nation's anniversary "visible and palpable remarks of Divine Favor".<ref>[[#Meacham|Meacham, 2012]], p. 496.</ref>

Shortly after Jefferson died, attendants found a gold locket on a chain around his neck, containing a small faded blue ribbon around a lock of his wife [[Martha Jefferson|Martha]]'s hair.<ref>[[#Donaldson|Donaldson, 1898]], p. 49.</ref>

Jefferson was interred at [[Monticello]], under an [[epitaph]] that he wrote:

<blockquote>HERE WAS BURIED THOMAS JEFFERSON, AUTHOR OF THE DECLARATION OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE, OF THE STATUTE OF VIRGINIA FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, AND FATHER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA.<ref>[[#TJFBio|Thomas Jefferson Foundation: "Thomas Jefferson, A Brief Biography"]]</ref></blockquote>

In his advanced years, Jefferson became increasingly concerned that people would understand the principles in the Declaration of Independence, and the people responsible for writing it, and he continually defended himself as its author. He considered the document one of his greatest life achievements, in addition to authoring the [[Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom]] and founding the [[University of Virginia]]. Absent from his epitaph were his political roles, including his presidency.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/jefferson/jeffleg.html|title=Legacy: Thomas Jefferson|website=Library of Congress.gov|access-date=June 15, 2019|date=April 24, 2000}}</ref>

Jefferson died deeply in debt, and was unable to pass on his estate freely to his heirs.<ref>[[#Bernstein03|Bernstein, 2003]], p. xii.</ref> He gave instructions in his will for disposal of his assets,<ref>[[#Tucker37|Tucker, 1837]], v. 2, p. 556.</ref> including the freeing of Sally Hemings's children;<ref name="Meacham, 2012, p. 495">[[#Meacham|Meacham, 2012]], p. 495.</ref> but his estate, possessions, and slaves were sold at public auctions starting in 1827.<ref>[[#Ellis96|Ellis, 1996]], p. 289.</ref> In 1831, Monticello was sold by [[Martha Jefferson Randolph]] and the other heirs.<ref>[[#TJFSale|Thomas Jefferson Foundation: "Sale of Monticello"]]</ref>