Thomas Jefferson wrote the magic words: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” At the same time, Jefferson was a slave owner. He advocated for a free press but privately urged state officials to file libel charges against newspapers unfriendly to his presidency.
Thomas Jefferson was a man of towering intellect and contradictions. Yet, he is credited with infusing a young nation with the lofty ideals and goals of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
Click the “Listen” link to hear about the life, liberty, pursuits, and personal contradictions of America’s most controversial founding father.
Guests:
Christopher John Farley, Senior Editor directed Time’s special issue “The Radical Mind of Thomas Jefferson”;Susan Dunn, professor of humanities at Williams College, author of forthcoming book ” Jefferson’s Second Revolution: The Election Crisis of 1800 and the Triumph of Republicanism”
