Who Was Thomas Jefferson?

Did you know that John Adams had to coax Thomas Jefferson into writing the Declaration of Independence? It's true. The shy Virginia statesman refused at first, but then went on to author one of our nation's most important and inspiring documents.

The third US president, Jefferson was also an architect, inventor, musician, farmer, and amp;mdash; what is certainly the most troubling aspect of his life amp;mdash; a slave owner. Finally, here's a biography for kids that unveils the many facets of this founding father's remarkable and complicated life.