He's been featured in portraits found in nearly every University building. He has been the subject of countless University classes. Yet today, as Thomas Jefferson's 268th birthday is commemorated in various ways around Grounds, however, the founder of the University continues to present a historical conundrum.
As a champion of equal rights and freedom of speech and religion, Jefferson's contradictory actions lead historians and students alike to wonder - was this a man who refused the constraints of his time, or did he himself rest his beliefs on the dominant views of his culture?
Jefferson, born in Albemarle County, Va. in 1743, is best known for writing the Declaration of Independence, increasing the territory of the United States through the Louisiana Purchase and negotiating American allegiances with Europe, including offering support for the French Revolution. The image of Jefferson preserved through generations also includes some less than flattering aspects, however. Among these are his ownership of slaves, his relationship and purported fathering of an illegitimate child with his slave Sally Hemings and the financial lavishness which led to his bankruptcy.
For Annette Gordon-Reed, professor of law at Harvard University and 2009 Pulitzer Prize winner in history for her book, "The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family," there are many ways to interpret Jefferson's history.
From April 4 through 6, Gordon-Reed gave lectures at the Harrison Institute discussing her research and other works on Jefferson biographies. She discussed how people will find ways to reconcile Jefferson's actions with their viewpoints depending on their feelings for him.
She pointed specifically to modern-day questions regarding Jefferson's ownership of slaves and his beliefs about gay people.
"The more you know [about Jefferson] the more problematic [writing his biography] becomes," Gordon-Reed said. "In the beginning he's all cloudless glory; by the end it's much more complicated than it was when he started out."
To fairly evaluate Jefferson, History Prof. Peter Onuf, a specialist in the American Revolution and early American Republic, said one must consider historical context.
"Jefferson's moral horizons were not ours - that doesn't mean he's meaningless, just different," Onuf said.
Onuf characterized people today as multiculturalists who believe modern states should be tolerant and accepting. Onuf explained that Jefferson simply did not view slaves as potential Americans; excluding them from his own Declaration of Independence was not a difficult issue.
"We should be more humble before judging Jefferson and guard against complacency and self-righteousness. I'm not saying to worship him, but we live in a different time - the 18th century was a brutal time where people owned other people."
Andrew O'Shaughnessy, Saunders Director of the Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies at Monticello, emphasized the importance of coming to terms with our history.
"Outsiders will appreciate Monticello as an institution to deal with this history responsibly," O'Shaughnessy said. "If we're candid with our own [histories] we can see how we handle our problems - it's always a good sign when people can look at themselves and see the good and the bad."
Gordon-Reed acknowledged the "good" and "bad" parts Jefferson possessed.
"He's this maddening figure because there are so many different sides," Gordon-Reed said. "You hate this about him, but he's admirable in other ways, such as his understanding of religion. He preserved religious freedom but also kept the state out of it as well."
Given the many discrepancies in Jefferson's image, Onuf offered his advice on how one can view Jefferson.
"You can trash him for not being a multiracialist, or you can celebrate him because he's a universalist," Onuf said.
Read More
Corn pudding — the easiest Thanksgiving side dish
By Kate Johnson | YesterdayLook no further than this recipe if you need a last-minute accompaniment to your turkey next week.
Students practice art of persuasion at Karsh Institute of Democracy Oratory Competition
By Grace Roddy | 3 days agoThe finalists — four undergraduate students and four graduate students — answered the prompt “Tell the story of a hero of our American democracy” for the chance to win $1,000.
A look into expanding Native American resources on Grounds
By Mia Tan | 4 days agoStudent organizations, activist groups and academic programs have focused on highlighting individual differences among Indigenous students and bridging the gap between the University and Virginia tribes.
