American Sphinx The Character Of Thomas Jefferson

American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson, a biography by Joseph Ellis, encompasses many aspects of one of the most controversial and unforgettable American Founding Fathers. Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence and a man of astonishing achievements, left behind a legacy of paradoxes and mysteries, which are thoroughly analyzed throughout the novel. Unlike some people, who are easily characterized and have definite opinions, Thomas Jefferson’s beliefs and intentions remain unclear to many. Simply stated, Ellis describes Jefferson as â€Å"the enigmatic and elusive touchstone for the most cherished convictions and contested truths in American culture† (51). His words were often not reflected in his actions and similarly, his thoughts on important matters appeared wavering. Despite this uncertainty, Thomas Jefferson played a dominant role in the establishment and maintenance of a new nation and continues to influence American culture an d politics to this day. Thomas Jefferson’s domestic policy was based principally on the organization of a new, limited federal government that concerned itself solely with current affairs, leaving state governments in control of responsibilities at home. His first order of business as President was the establishment of a â€Å"wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another† but should otherwise leave them alone to handle their own matters of business (567). Jefferson â€Å"favoredShow MoreRelatedAmerican Sphinx The True Character Of Thomas Jefferson Analysis963 Words   |  4 Pages Many books have been written about Thomas Jefferson, the writer of the Declaration of Independence, the first secretary of state the third president of the United States of America, but the majority are biographies. In the book American Sphinx: The True Character of Thomas Jefferson, author, Joseph J. Ellis, writes about the character of Thomas Jefferson, by examining his thoughts, actions, and writings in different periods of his life. Ellis starts off the first chapter of his book withRead More American Jefferson Essay1134 Words   |  5 Pages â€Å"American Sphinx: The character of Thomas Jefferson† A book by Joseph J. Ellis. Copyright 1997 Vintage. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Joseph J. Ellis, a historian who was educated at the College of William and Mary and Yale, is a Ford Foundation Professor of History at Mount Holyoke University. He has written four books on historical topics, centered on the time Jefferson was alive, dealing with issues and personalities Jefferson dealt with firsthand. After authoringRead MoreThe Pivotal Political Decisions On The Young American Republic Of The Late 18th Century1515 Words   |  7 PagesThe pivotal political decisions in the young American republic of the late 18th century were made by a select few leaders. These forerunners knew each other at a personal level, and their gregariousness had a remarkable impact on the choices they made in the future. In the words of an accomplished historian and a biographer, Joseph Ellis, these crucial decisions with an astounding aftermath came about â€Å"in a sudden spasm of enforced inspiration and makeshift construction† (3). In addition, in his Read MoreThomas Jefferson: More than a President Essay1590 Words   |  7 Pagesand women. Prominent among these heroes and heroines is Thomas Jefferson who wrote the Declaration of Independence. Apart from the Declaration, Jefferson accomplished great achievements in his lifetime; our nation would not be the same today without his genius: â€Å"Even among that remarkable group of men known as the Founding Fathers, Jefferson was truly a giant† (Allison 9). Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743 to Peter and Jane Jefferson who lived near the Blue Ridge Mountains in colonial AmericaRead MoreThomas Jefferson Was The Second President Of The United States Of America1671 Words   |  7 PagesThomas Jefferson was the third president of The United States of America and one of the most influential founding fathers in American history. Thomas was born in Shadwell in Albemarle County, Virginia in 1743. His father Peter Jefferson was a well respected planter in Virginia. Not much is said about Jefferson s early life due to the Shadwell fire. The Shadwell fire destroyed many of Jefferson s person recollections in 1770 leaving much of his early history and his development into an AmericanRead MoreFounding Brothers : The Revolutionary Generation Essay1261 Words   |  6 PagesJoseph J. Ellis, American historian and novelist has written many awards winning novels. One of his most recognized, â€Å"American Sphinx†, winner many prestigio us awards such as the National Book Award for Non-Fiction in 1997, and the Ambassador Book Award for Biography in 1998. His Pulitzer Prize winning novel, â€Å"Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation†, talks about the founding fathers’ interactions with each other in the decades that followed the Constitutional Convention of 1787. DuringRead MoreThe Founding Brothers By Joseph J. Ellis1253 Words   |  6 Pagesexplores challenges each of these ordinary men, our founding fathers faced as they come together to established order and declare their independence from Britain in a brave new world. Ellis an excellent story teller is one of the leading scholar of American history. He was a college professor and previously taught at the Honors College at the University of Massachusetts. He has written nine non-fiction books about the Revolutionary period. Some of his books includes the life of the First Family: AbigailRead Morefounding fathers book report873 Words   |  4 PagesConnecticut (Yale University Press, 1983), School For Soldiers: West Point and the Profession of Arms (Oxford University Press, 1974), Passionate Sage: The Character and Legacy of John Adams (W.W Norton and Company, 1993), After the Revolution: Profiles of Early American Culture (W.W. Norton Company, 2002), and American Sphinx: The character of Thomas Jefferson (New York, NY: Vintage Books, 1998), which won the 1997 National Book Award. Ellis also won the Pulitzer Prize for History for Founding Brothers:Read MoreInterpreting the Constitution (Strict vs. Loose); Jefferson and Hamilt1896 Words   |  8 Pagesthe leadership of Thomas Jefferson. These Jeffersonian republicans, also known as anti-federalists, believed in strict adherence to the writings of the constitution. They wanted states rights and individual rights, which they believed could only be granted under strict construction of the constitution. Thomas Jefferson, the third president, and James Madison, his successor, were close friends and lifelong political associates. Long regarded as advocates for liberty, Jefferson and Madison believedRead MoreEssay on Interpreting the Constitution1872 Words   |  8 Pagesthe leadership of Thomas Jefferson. These Jeffersonian republicans, also known as anti-federalists, believed in strict adherence to the writings of the constitution. They wanted state’s rights and individual rights, which they believed could only be granted under strict construction of the constitution. Thomas Jefferson, the third president, and James Madison, his successor, were close friends and lifelo ng political associates. Long regarded as advocates for liberty, Jefferson and Madison believed