Thomas Jefferson remains one of the most complex figures in American history. He wrote the Declaration of Independence and doubled the size of the country. Furthermore, he was a polymath who loved science, architecture, and farming. Consequently, his interests extended far beyond the realm of politics. Explore these fascinating details about the Sage of Monticello.
Thomas Jefferson
He popularized macaroni and cheese in the United States. He famously brought a pasta machine back from France to satisfy his craving for the dish.
Thomas Jefferson died on July 4, 1826. Remarkably, this was the exact same day that his friend and rival John Adams passed away.
He kept pet mockingbirds in the White House. He loved the birds so much that he often let them fly freely around his office.
He sold his personal collection of 6,487 books to the government. This massive sale effectively restarted the Library of Congress after the British burned the original one.
Surprisingly, he was obsessed with finding living mastodons. He laid out giant fossil bones in the East Room of the White House for guests to see.
He invented the swivel chair. He modified a regular chair with an iron spindle so he could rotate while he worked at his desk.
Thomas Jefferson stood at a height of 6 feet 2 inches (1.89 meters). Therefore, he towered over most other men of his era.
He wrote his own epitaph but left off his presidency. He wanted to be remembered as the author of the Declaration of Independence instead.
He recorded the weather every single day of his adult life. Thus, historians have a perfect record of the temperature in Virginia for decades.
He spent a fortune on wine. In fact, he once ordered 20,000 bottles from France for his personal cellar.
Thomas Jefferson reportedly broke his wrist while trying to impress a woman. He attempted to jump over a fence in Paris but fell awkwardly.
He wrote down the first known recipe for ice cream in America. Specifically, he created a vanilla custard version that became a favorite at his dinner parties.
He designed a “Great Clock” for his home at Monticello. The weights are so long they have to drop through holes in the floor.
Thomas Jefferson could read and write in six different languages. He mastered Greek, Latin, French, Italian, Spanish, and English.
Finally, he introduced the French fry to America. He served “potatoes fried in the raw” at a White House dinner in 1802.
