Profile of the Day: Thomas Jefferson

Are you related to a Founding Father of the United States? On this day in 1743, Thomas Jefferson was born at his family home in Virginia.

Image: Thomas Jefferson / Wikimedia Commons

The third of ten children, Jefferson was born into one of the most prominent families in Virginia. His father, Peter Jefferson, was a successful planter and surveyor. He died when Jefferson was just 14.

One of America’s Founding Fathers, Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, which is often considered one of the most important documents in history. He later served as the third President of the United States.

In an odd coincidence, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, the only signers of the Declaration of Independence to later serve as Presidents of the United States, died on the same day – July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Explore Thomas Jefferson’s family tree on Geni and share how you’re related to the third President of the United States.