Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) wrote no systematic treatise on political theory. And yet there is order and system in his unsystematic observations and reflections as found in his only book, in parliamentary manuals, legislative reports, public addresses, executive orders and a voluminous correspondence consisting of some 18,000 letters. It is from these disparate sources that we must glean his political philosophy. He, like the fox, knew a great many things; but, like the hedgehog, he knew and was guided by one big thing – his unswerving belief that people are by nature, and ought to be by law, free to govern themselves. Everything else is either a means or an obstacle to this single overriding end. Tyrannies deny and virtuous republics promote it; ignorance undermines and education encourages it; censorship obscures and a free press reveals it; invasive government negates and self-rule affirms it – but when all is said and done the truth and value of this end is so obvious as to be “self-evident.” Jefferson changed his mind about many things; but on this single point his conviction never wavered.

Life and times

Jefferson was born at Shadwell, in Albemarle County, Virginia, in 1743. His father, Peter, a self-educated man of many talents and interests, made his living as a surveyor, map-maker, and farmer. He was also an amateur scientist and musician who passed his love of these and other interests to his son Tom.