Thomas Jefferson was the third president of the United States who drafted the Declaration of Independence and purchased the Louisiana Territory, doubling the size of the country. He was born in 1743, was a leader in the Enlightenment, owned slaves while opposing the institution, and gained political experience as governor of Virginia during the Revolutionary War.

2. Accomplishments
• Drafted the Declaration of Independence
• Third president of the
United States
• Purchased the Louisiana
Territory from France

3. Background
• Born April 13, 1743
• Leader in the Enlightenment
• Owned slaves, yet was opposed to the
institution of slavery

4. Importance
• Was governor of Virginia during the Revolutionary
War, and got important political experience that
helped when he became President.
• Louisiana Purchase was important because it
doubled the size of the U.S.