Comments on: Thomas Jefferson: The Sensitive Writer Type

By: Glenn

Glenn — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:31:28 +0000

Want to read two amazing books about the American Revolution check out ‘Rise to Rebellion’ and ‘The Glorious Cause’ by Jeff Shaara.

By: Matty

Matty — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:30:20 +0000

Beth mentions a great movie musical with her comment regarding 1776. Ken Howard did nice work portraying Jefferson. There were some inaccuracies regarding his character from Edward’s script however.

The sexual “burning” that Jefferson sings of when yearning to return to Virginia to see his wife Martha; and even being featured in the movie (Blythe Danner) is conveniently misconstrued. You see, during the summer of 1776 Martha had suffered a miscarriage and was very ill. That was the reason for Jefferson’s desperation to get out of Philadelphia. In fact, Martha did not travel to Philadelphia in that summer.

When Jefferson became President in 1801, he had been a widower for 19 years. The Martha Jefferson that is credited as his First Lady was Martha Washington Jefferson Randolph (nicknamed Patsy).

By: Karen

Karen — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:07:56 +0000

Shoot! I was hoping for more of these as well.

Good job.

By: Kate

Kate — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:22:04 +0000

Jefferson’s draft of the Declaration of Independence is at the American Philosophical Society library in Philly, right next to Independence Hall. I know this because I just did a paper on my visit there for one of my library school classes. Yay nerds! :)

Link in my name, if anyone is interested…..

By: MJSamuelson

MJSamuelson — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:18:43 +0000

Jefferson did greet the British minister in his pajamas – in an attempt to insult him. Jefferson hated the Merrys with unmitigated passion, going so far as to publicly snub Mrs. Merry at their welcoming dinner party. Jefferson also never invited Federalists (I think – I get them confused) to his dinner parties at the White House – it was up to his Secretary of State, James Madison, and Dolley Madison to hold “bipartisan” affairs.

By: jenni

jenni — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:51:40 +0000

my favorite bit of trivia about him is that later on in life, he was heavily in debt. congress tried to start some kind of subscription service for him, but that didn’t work, so they offered to buy his library from him for the library of congress. Instead of paying off his debts with the money, Jefferson used it to–what else–replace his books.

By: Fran

Fran — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:45:43 +0000

Great series. Very sorry to see it go. I was hoping for something on all of the presidents. There are so many more to cover. Can’t you continue it?????:)

By: Valerie

Valerie — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:23:10 +0000

Awww, that’s it???? I want more!! Great series, I really enjoyed it.

By: beth

beth — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:19:09 +0000

Too “see” how the writing of the Declaration was foisted on Jefferson check out the musical 1776. It’s amazing what went on back then. And although a play/movie most of it is incredibly accurate!

By: Witty Nickname

Witty Nickname — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:23:23 +0000

Thanks for this series, it was one of my favoriates. I am so sorry to see it go. :-(