Jeffersonian Era

8 Pages 2032 Words

e and land, and supervise the education of Randolph’s four children. The Jefferson’s accepted and remained at Randolph’s estate, known as Tuckahoe, for more than seven years” (Dumbauld 75).
“Thomas Jefferson was five years old when he began his education under the family tutor at Tuckahoe. In 1752 the Jefferson’s returned to Shadwell and started work on a plantation home. Thomas, however, spent little time at Shadwell. Almost immediately he was sent to Dover, Virginia, where he studied Latin with the Reverend William Douglas until 1757, when his father died. He was then sent to the school of the Reverend James Maury at Hanover, Virginia, and spent two years studying Greek and Latin classics, history, literature, geography, and natural science” (Chinard 312).
Thomas Jefferson was a tall, slender boy with sandy hair of a reddish cast and fair skin that freckled and sunburned easily. A serious student, he also enjoyed the lighter aspects of the education of Virginia gentleman. He learned to dance and play the violin and holidays he spent either at Shadwell entertaining guests or at his friends’ plantations.
“In March of 1760 Jefferson entered the College of William and Mary in Virginia, and soon came under the influence of Dr. William Small. Jefferson became a favorite of the doctor who taught mathematics, natural history, metaphysics, and moral philosophy. Jefferson also continued his study of classical literature. After two years at William and Mary, Jefferson left to study with Dr. Small’s friend George Wythe, the most learned lawyer in Virginia. Jefferson was very fond of Wythe and called him “my second father.” Even while reading law, Jefferson had too many other interests. He studied French, Italian, and English history and literature. He was keenly interested in the new scientific theory of inoculation and traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to have himself inoculated against smallpox” (polytechni...