Thomas Jefferson was a very accomplished President.  He served as the third President from 1801-1809, and he was known for giving the United States life and liberty.  When Jefferson ran for President, he supported the Federalists.  Jefferson was born on April 13th, 1743 in Charlottesville, Virginia.  In 1760-1762, Jefferson attended a very prestigious college, the College of William and Mary.  From 1769-1775, Thomas served in the Virginia House of Burgesses and was elected Virginia delegate to the Second Continental Congress, and during this time, in 1772, he married Martha Wayles Skelton.  In 1776, he wrote the Declaration of Independence with the help of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Roger Locke.  Then, he served as governor of Virginia from 1779-1781; consequently, shortly after serving that term, he served as ambassador to France.  After that, Jefferson was appointed the first United States secretary of state from 1790-1793.  When John Adams was elected second President, Jefferson served as the vice president from 1797-1801.  Subsequently, Jefferson was elected president of the United States in 1801 and served his first term until 1805.  Then, he was re-elected to serve his second term until 1809.  However, in 1826 Jefferson died on July 4th, which was the fiftienth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.