Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 – July 4, 1826)

On February 17, 1801, Thomas Jefferson was elected
the third president of the United States. The election
constitutes the first peaceful transfer of power from
one political party to another in the United States.

By 1800, when he decided to run for president,
Thomas Jefferson possessed impressive political
credentials and was well-suited to the presidency.         

       
In addition to drafting the Declaration of
Independence, Jefferson had served in two
Continental Congresses, as minister to
France, as the nations first secretary of
state under George Washington and as
John Adams’ vice president.        

Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin
meet to review a draft of the Declaration of Independence. 

Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C.