Fun and Interesting Facts about Thomas Jefferson

It's a well-known fact that Thomas Jefferson both authored the Declaration of Independence and took up the task as the third president of the United States of America. But what are some lesser-known tidbits of information or facts that few would even be aware of? There was more to Jefferson than meets the eye of people learning about him today.

-Thomas Jefferson was the very first to introduce the concept of the president shaking hands as a greeting, rather than simply bowing. He was also the first president to take the presidential oath in Washington D.C.

-He is responsible for the invention of the dumbwaiter, coat hanger, calendar clock and hideaway bed.

-Jefferson condemned the concept of slavery in his first draft of the Declaration of Independence, despite the fact that he owned slaves himself. Additionally, at the time of his presidency, twenty percent of the country's population consisted of slaves.

-He owned a mockingbird and kept it in the study of the White House, whom he lovingly referred to as Dick. Dick adored Jefferson and followed him wherever he might go, going so far as to take food from Jefferson's mouth during meals, which he had been trained to do.

-Jefferson's death on July 4th, 1826 coincided with the fifty-year anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. His friend and rival, John Adams, died a few hours after him. Adams and Jefferson, interestingly enough, were the only presidents to sign the parchment.

-Jefferson's epitaph was written by himself, and the fact that he had been a president of the United States was not mentioned anywhere.

-The term "the big cheese" comes from an event in which Jefferson was given a chunk of cheese that weighed well over a thousand pounds as a gift.

-Jefferson was a notable writer but wasn't very skilled as a public speaker. In fact, during the term of his presidency he only gave a total of two speeches.

-To prove that a tomato is not poisonous, Jefferson took a bite out of one in front of a crowd.

-His large collection of over six thousand books would later make up the Library of Congress.

-As she was slowly slipping away on her deathbed, Jefferson told his wife he would never remarry.

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Veronica on March 23, 2010
Wow! Those are some weird and crazy facts about Thomas! I just wanted to thank whoever found these facts. THANK YOU!


	Thomas Jefferson: Fun Facts, Quotes & Trivia

	Home - Site Map Fun and Interesting Facts about Thomas Jefferson It's a well-known fact that Thomas Jefferson both authored the Declaration of Independence and took up the task as the third president of the United States of America. But what are some lesser-known tidbits of information or facts that few would even be aware of? There was more to Jefferson than meets the eye of people learning about him today. -Thomas Jefferson was the very first to introduce the concept of the president shaking hands as a greeting, rather than simply bowing. He was also the first president to take the presidential oath in Washington D.C. -He is responsible for the invention of the dumbwaiter, coat hanger, calendar clock and hideaway bed. -Jefferson condemned the concept of slavery in his first draft of the Declaration of Independence, despite the fact that he owned slaves himself. Additionally, at the time of his presidency, twenty percent of the country's population consisted of slaves. -He owned a mockingbird and kept it in the study of the White House, whom he lovingly referred to as Dick. Dick adored Jefferson and followed him wherever he might go, going so far as to take food from Jefferson's mouth during meals, which he had been trained to do. -Jefferson's death on July 4th, 1826 coincided with the fifty-year anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. His friend and rival, John Adams, died a few hours after him. Adams and Jefferson, interestingly enough, were the only presidents to sign the parchment. -Jefferson's epitaph was written by himself, and the fact that he had been a president of the United States was not mentioned anywhere. -The term "the big cheese" comes from an event in which Jefferson was given a chunk of cheese that weighed well over a thousand pounds as a gift. -Jefferson was a notable writer but wasn't very skilled as a public speaker. In fact, during the term of his presidency he only gave a total of two speeches. -To prove that a tomato is not poisonous, Jefferson took a bite out of one in front of a crowd. -His large collection of over six thousand books would later make up the Library of Congress. -As she was slowly slipping away on her deathbed, Jefferson told his wife he would never remarry. Tags: Thomas Jefferson Fun Facts Rate This Article: Comment on "Fun and Interesting Facts about Thomas Jefferson" Your Name Your Comments Verification Code: F7D91 Enter Code: User Comments: Veronica on March 23, 2010 Wow! Those are some weird and crazy facts about Thomas! I just wanted to thank whoever found these facts. THANK YOU!		Thomas Jefferson Vital Statistics 3rd President of the United States Born: Apr. 13, 1743, on his father's estate in Albemarle County on what was then Virginia's western frontier. His birthplace, Shadwell, was destroyed by fire in 1770. Died: July 4, 1826, on the 50th anniversary of American independence. Jefferson, who was 83, had been suffering from diarrhea, but lingered on just long enough to see the glorious day commemorating the Declaration he had written. "Is it the fourth?" he asked from his sickbed, and when assured that it was, he died peacefully. Tags: Thomas Jefferson Achievements Thomas Jefferson Biography Thomas Jefferson Books Thomas Jefferson Fun Facts Thomas Jefferson Memorial Thomas Jefferson Little Known Facts...More Inside! "Jefferson was a gifted inventor, who devised dozens of handy gadgets for his personal convenience. Among his noteworthy inventions are a revolving chair, a hemp machine, a pedometer to measure the distance of his walks, a walking stick which unfolded into a chair, a plow that won a gold medal at a French exhibition, a revolving music stand, and a letter-copying press." Popular Books about Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson looms large in the mythology of the United States, and historians have long puzzled about his exact role in the formation of democracy. The ranges of books that have been written about Thomas Jefferson reflect the multi-faceted nature of this American icon. Some delve into his psychological motivations, others question his relationship with one of his female slaves and subsequent children born out of wedlock, and some present fascinating studies about his role in the formation of West Point. Thomas Jefferson's Achievements Make Indelible Mark on History Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) led a long and productive life filled with many achievements, including serving as the third President of the United States of America. Thomas Jefferson Quotes Here! "....I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around [the banks] will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered. The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs...." Fun and Interesting Facts about Thomas Jefferson It's a well-known fact that Thomas Jefferson both authored the Declaration of Independence and took up the task as the third president of the United States of America. But what are some lesser-known tidbits of information or facts that few would even be aware of? There was more to Jefferson than meets the eye of people learning about him today. Subscribe to our Monthly Email Newsletter