What was Thomas Jeffersons childhood like?

Answer 1

His first memory was horseback riding with a slave into the Virginia wildness at the age of three. He was born on his father's plantation called Shadwell. He was the third of ten children. At the age of five he learned to read, write and do arithmetic from a private tutor. At age 9 he was placed in a classical school under Reverend William Douglas. He also took to hunting at an early age, but his love of nature overcame this hobby and he soon disliked it. In 1758 he was sent to a school under Reverend James Maury and at age 14 his father died. In 1760, at the age of 17, he entered the College of William and Mary. He eventually learned to speak 6 languages.

As a young child Thomas Jefferson was an enthusiastic student, often spending up to fifteen hours a day studying. He was to retain a life long interest in reading. He had both a keen intellect and also a wide range of interests. His interests ranged from philosophy and architecture to the natural sciences. At the age of 17 he entered the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, two years later he graduated with the highest honors. After leaving college he studied law under George Wythe and later served in the Virginia House of Burgess.

Answer 2

Thomas Jefferson came from a wealthy and respected family. He was born in April of 1743, on a plantation in in western Virginia. He was one of ten children. His family owned slaves, and he spent time with them from his earliest years. An inquisitive and curious child, he loved books and enjoyed studying; by most accounts, his childhood was a happy one. His formal education began when he was five (some sources say nine); he was first taught by a minister named James Maury, who was also an experienced teacher and tutor. Jefferson went to a boarding school until he was sixteen, where he learned a wide range of subjects, including history, literature, and foreign languages such as French, Greek and Latin. In 1760, Jefferson enrolled at the College of William and Mary, where he studied science, mathematics, rhetoric, philosophy, and literature; and several years later, he began to study law.

Answer 3

"As a young child, Jefferson was an enthusiastic Student, often spending his time studying. He was to retain a lifelong interest in reading. He had a keen intellect."

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