I'm a huge history buff and often write history articles for leisure, the latest one featuring on Thomas Jefferson: http://socyberty.com/history/six-shocking-facts-about-thomas-jefferson/ - Six Shocking Facts About Thomas Jefferson

This, however, is a work in progress, for I update the article with additional facts about Thomas Jefferson as I come across them. Do you feel there was anything "shocking" about Jefferson's presidency -- or, more generally, his life -- that I left out and should be included? The article centers on the many contradictions Jefferson is still getting flak for to this day.

Thoughts?

Thanks.

http://socyberty.com/history/six-shocking-facts-about-thomas-jefferson/ - Six Shocking Facts About Thomas Jefferson

by http://www.triond.com/users/Jeff+Martinez - Jeff Martinez in http://socyberty.com/category/history/ - History , February 18, 2013

Best known as the third commander-in-chief of the United States, author of the Declaration of Independence, founder of the University of Virginia, and the mastermind behind what was arguably the best real estate deal in the history of the United States – the Louisiana Purchase – Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) is ranked among the greatest U.S. presidents of all time. But many of the decisions Jefferson made throughout his presidency and in his personal life remain a source of controversy to this day. Read on for a roundup of shocking facts about Thomas Jefferson that may forever change your view of this venerated Founding Father.

For most of my life, I have been an avid U.S. history buff, soaking up information on virtually everything from the American Revolution to World War II like a sponge.  Since so many of our nation’s landmark events have revolved around the 44 men who have taken the presidential oath of office, I’ve always felt compelled to learn as much about them as possible.  I find that most history lovers tend to zero in on our most famous presidents – from Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln to http://socyberty.com/history/18-fascinating-things-you-didnt-know-about-teddy-roosevelt/ - Teddy Roosevelt and Franklin Delano Roosevelt – and I’m no exception.

From the moment I learned that Thomas Jefferson authored one of the most influential documents in American history – the Declaration of Independence - I instantly became entranced by this man. Over the years I probed deeper into his life and unearthed a wealth of interesting tidbits, including the fact that Jefferson was fluent in six languages and would study roughly 15 hours a day during his formative years. Considering I love to learn new things and always dreamed of being a writer, I can certainly draw parallels between Jefferson and myself.

As much as I enjoy lauding Jefferson for his many accomplishments, it isn’t fair to look at him – or any other historic figure for that matter – through rose-colored glasses. The media and the history books generally paint the Founding Fathers as flawless heroes, but these men had their fair share of foibles like anyone else. Jefferson, in particular, has been labeled a hypocrite for taking firm positions on various issues and then making decisions that completely contradicted those positions.  Below are 6 shocking facts about Thomas Jefferson that might leave you scratching your head and questioning whether schools and the media should reassess how they portray the third president of the United States.

1. Thomas Jefferson…a shy guy?  While Jefferson was masterful with a pen and paper, he was immensely shy and introverted – so much, in fact, that he was always silent in committee meetings leading up to the American Revolution.  It’s no wonder, then, that Jefferson delivered so few speeches throughout his presidency, and that all of his annual messages were delivered in writing rather than in person. However, what Jefferson lacked in social skills he more than made up for in shrewdness, as evidenced by the Louisiana Purchase – what many scholars consider the crowning achievement of his presidency.