Jefferson: Political Writings

The key writings of the author of the Declaration of Independence are presented in a clear and accessible format.

The author of the American Declaration of Independence, Jefferson is among the most important and controversial of American political thinkers. This volume offers a new introduction and a careful selection of his key writings, arranged thematically to cover such topics as race, women and slavery.Thomas Jefferson is among the most important and controversial of American political thinkers: his influence (libertarian, democratic, participatory, and agrarian-republican) is still felt today. A prolific writer, Jefferson left 18,000 letters, Notes on the State of Virginia, an Autobiography, and numerous other papers. Joyce Appleby and Terence Ball have selected the most important of these for presentation in the Cambridge Texts series: Jefferson's views on topics such as revolution, self-government, the role of women and African-American and Native Americans emerge to give a fascinating insight into a man who owned slaves, yet advocated the abolition of slavery. The texts are supported by a concise introduction, suggestions for further reading and short biographies of key figures, all providing invaluable assistance to the student encountering the breadth and richness of Jefferson's thought for the first time.