Thomas Jefferson, Man versus Myth

Thomas Jefferson is one of the giants of Enlightenment thought and political activism. Yet to the historical record of his accomplishments, several myths have been added by both admirers and detractors of Jefferson. In this work, historian David N. Mayer investigates several of those myths, including the claims that Jefferson was "the father of American democracy," that he had an extend affair with Sally Hemings and fathered some or all of her children, and that he was an atheist. In addition, Dr. Mayer identifies some of Jefferson's shortcomings despite his genius and many outstanding accomplishments.