Jeffersons Formal Education As part of the gentry class, Thomas Jefferson received a good formal education.[1] In his autobiography, Jefferson summarized his early education. He wrote that his father, Peter Jefferson, ...placed me at the English school at 5. years of age and at the Latin at 9. where I continued until his death. The Latin school was conducted by the Reverend William Douglas, of whom Jefferson wrote, [he] was but a superficial Latinist, less instructed in Greek, but with the rudiments of these languages he taught me French. Early in 1758, Jefferson began attending the school of Reverend James Maury, whom Jefferson credited as a correct classical scholar. He continued studies with Reverend Maury for two years until entering William and Mary in Williamsburg in the spring of 1760, at the age of seventeen.[2] Jefferson spent seven years in Williamsburg, first pursuing a course of study at the College of William and Mary from March 1760 until April 1762 and then reading law with George Wythe. During his two years at William and Mary, he studied primarily under Dr. William Small, which Jefferson felt was, my great good fortune, and what probably fixed the destinies of my life.[3] Jefferson went on to say that, He, most happily for me, became soon attached to me & made me his daily companion when not engaged in the school; and from his conversation I got my first views of the expansion of science & of the system of things in which we are placed.[4] Before Small returned to Europe in 1762, he arranged for Jefferson to read law under the direction of George Wythe. Jefferson remained in Williamsburg under Wythes guidance for the next five years and described this relationship in his Autobiography: Mr. Wythe continued to be my faithful and beloved Mentor in youth, and my most affectionate friend through life. In 1767, he led me into the practice of the law at the bar of the General Court.[5] Jeffersons seven years of study at Williamsburg culminated in the practice of law but without any type of degree as might be granted today. In 1762, when Jefferson was completing his two-year course of study, William and Mary did grant degrees but the course of study leading toward a degree would have taken four to five years and been directed toward a career in the Anglican church or as a professor. The gentry of Virginia followed the English model in seeking what would be considered a gentlemans education. The emphasis was upon an appropriate education, not a degree.[6] Much later in his life, Jefferson would be concerned with the education of his grandson, Francis Wayles Eppes. In a letter to Francis father, John Wayles Eppes, Jefferson expressed his opinion that the prescribed course of study which led to a degree would not be the wisest use of Francis time and proposed that Francis should concentrate upon a course which would be of particular use to him: This relinquishes the honorary distinction of a Diploma, a good enough thing to excite the ambition of youth to study, but, in modern estimation, no longer worth tacking, by its initials to ones name; and certainly not worth the sacrifice of a single useful science.[7] Jefferson himself could have tacked initials to his name had he felt it important, as he was awarded three honorary degrees in his lifetime. Primary Source References[8] 1800 January 27. (Jefferson to Joseph Priestly). I thank on my knees, who directly my early education, for having put into my possession this rich source of delight [knowledge of Greek and Latin]; and I would not exchange it for anything which I could then have acquired, and have not since acquired.[9] 1819 August 24. (Jefferson to John Brazier). I think myself more indebted to my father for this [knowledge for Greek and Latin] than for all the other luxuries his cares and affections have placed within my reach; and more now than younger and more susceptible of delights from other sources.[10] Footnotes 1.↑ This article is based on Gaye Wilson, Monticello Research Report, December 1999. 2.↑ Peterson, Writings, 4. 3.↑ Ibid. 4.↑ Ibid. 5.↑ Ibid, 4-5. 6.↑ Telephone interview with Stacy Gould, Archivist of Special Collections, Swem Library at the College of William and Mary, 1999. 7.↑ Jefferson to Eppes, 16 September 1821.University of Virginia. 8.↑ Please note that this list should not be considered comprehensive. 9.↑ Peterson, Writings, 1072. 10.↑ Ibid, 1423.
Posted on: Sun, 13 Jul 2014 06:00:00 +0000
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