I’ve slowly been working my way through presidential biographies and just finished this book about Thomas Jefferson. (Obviously, this is going very slowly, as he was the third president of the United States).
One thing that has struck me as I’ve read through three books is how my impressions and opinions of various founding fathers has evolved:
After reading “Washington by Ron Chernow”:
- George Washington: Sometimes aloof, a reluctant leader that seemed indecisive. Also self conscious about his teeth.
- John Adams: Arrogant, argumentative. Short and bald. Seems like a total dick.
- Thomas Jefferson: Charismatic yet condescending. Non-confrontational yet passionate. Politically savvy. Introvert.
- Alexander Hamilton: Ambitious, eager, whip smart.
- Ben Franklin: Wise old sage.
After reading “John Adams” by David McCullough:
- George Washington: Sometimes aloof, a reluctant leader that seemed indecisive.
- John Adams: Righteous, passionate, good and loving husband and father. Prolific writer. Deeply interested in human behavior and feelings.
- Thomas Jefferson: Humorless, spendthrift. Flirt. Defensive. Incapable of compromise. Seems like a total dick.
- Alexander Hamilton: Smart kid with great ideas.
- Ben Franklin: Wise old sage.
And now, after reading “The Art of Power” by Jon Meacham:
- George Washington: Sometimes aloof, a reluctant leader that seemed indecisive. Yet he was not the hero America deserved, but the hero America needed.
- John Adams: Misguided monarchist. Power hungry.
- Thomas Jefferson: Thoughtful philosopher. Defender of individual rights. Patient. Methodical.
- Alexander Hamilton: Wrong about everything. Preferred a British style of government. Along with John Adams, seemed like he wanted to tear up the constitution and destroy America. Seems like a total dick.
- Ben Franklin: Wise old sage.
Bottom line: Biographies paint the subject in the most favorable light and throw everyone else under the bus.
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I really enjoyed digging into his life and his underlying philosophies. I’ll admit to not knowing much more about Jefferson other than he was the third president of the United States, author of the Declaration of Independence, and his mug and home adorn each side of our five-cent coin.
He was a savvy politician, deep thinker and someone who was completely curious about every facet of life, science and technology.
And man… he really did not like Alexander Hamilton.
Another thing that I didn’t really pick up in previous biographies was the struggle and friction between northern and southern states, 50-some years ahead of the Civil War. There were threats of succession (by Northern states, no less!) in the early 1800’s due to his election and the political power that Southern states held.
Both this book and the John Adams biography went into a lot of detail about their early friendship, the animosity the grew between them while Jefferson served as Adams’ Vice President and the subsequent rekindling of their friendship in the years after Jefferson left office as the third President. They ended up exchanged something like 360 letters with each other until they both died… on the same day:
July 4th, 1826 — the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Bonkers!