Jefferson and Education

by Jennings L. Wagoner Jr.

If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be, wrote Thomas Jefferson, perhaps the nation's first "education president." Spurred by this conviction that the new United States would survive only if it encouraged education at all levels, Jefferson struggled unsuccessfully for four decades to establish a system of publicly supported elementary and secondary schools. Jennings Wagoner opens this study with an overview of Jefferson's own learning experiences, from his tutoring and schooling in Albemarle County through his years at the College of William and Mary. Then he explores Jefferson's efforts to advance publicly supported education, beginning in Virginia with the first bill he introduced promoting "the more general diffusion of knowledge," and continuing with national initiatives, including the founding of the United States Military Academy at West Point. Wagoner concludes with what Jefferson called "the hobby of my old age"--the establishment of the University of Virginia, where he designed the buildings, selected the faculty, planned the curriculum, and served as first rector.

144 pages, Paperback

First published November 22, 2004

Reviews

[Marita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. Anything about Thomas Jefferson interests me but what I really enjoyed most in this book was Mr. Wagoner's writing style. He was clear yet eloquent and I enjoyed every word.