Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743 in Shadwell, Virginia. He accomplished multiple things throughout his life that would change the shape of America. Jefferson held many titles in government such as secretary of state, vice president and president Jefferson was born into a powerful family in Virginia, both of his parents were very prominent with his mother coming from royalty and his father a successful farmer, surveyor and cartographer who made a map of the province of Virginia. Jefferson was the third child of 10 children. Even at a young age, Jefferson received an education and in 1760 attended the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg. After 3 years Jefferson chose to study law, and after 5 years he became one of the best known lawyers in America. On January 1, 1772, he married Martha Wayles Skelton, a wealthy woman from Virginia. They had 6 children but only 2 of them became adults. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Jefferson's political legacy began after the French and Indian War (1763) leaving Britain in financial difficulty. To raise funds, Great Britain imposed new taxes on its colonies in America. Taxes angered the colonists which started the American Revolution and the famous slogan "No taxation without representation!" The revolution began on April 19, 1775, and Jefferson became one of the earliest and staunchest supporters of the revolution against Great Britain. He was elected to the Virginia House Of Burgesses in 1768 and joined his group led by Patrick Henry and George Washington. In 1775, Jefferson went to the Second Continental Congress where the Continental Army was formed and Washington was assigned as commander in chief. While the most important work of Congress was entrusted to Jefferson. In June 1776, Congress appointed 5 people to draft a Declaration of Independence. The group gave Jefferson the honor of creating the first draft. In 17 days he created the Declaration of Independence, one of the most important documents in the history of the United States declaring independence from Great Britain. It included the rights of all human beings and the end of King George III's rule over the American colonies. His first draft underwent multiple changes, but his famous words remain: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights; that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness." After finishing with the Declaration of Independence, he returned to Virginia where he served as a member of the Virginia House Of Delegates for 3 years. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In 1777 created freedom of religion, but it wasn't truly a state law of Virginia until 9 years. It was still one of his biggest hits.