Thomas Jefferson, the Architect?
Thomas Jefferson – President, Author of the Declaration of Independence, Founder of the University of Virginia. But Thomas Jefferson, the Architect?
“Architecture is my delight, and putting up, and pulling down, one of my favorite amusements.” – Thomas Jefferson
Jefferson was the only president who was also an architect. Jefferson’s architectural knowledge was well known during his life. When he was 26, he began building his own home, Monticello, in rural Virginia. He also contributed to the design of many other buildings, including the Virginia State Capitol, the University of Virginia, and the home of his friend James Madison.
Jefferson was also a prolific inventor. He invented many home improvements such as:
- clothes rack
- revolving book stand
- revolving serving door
- alcove bed
- double door specialty hardware
Oftentimes, his inventions came about in answer to an identified need such as:
- the polygraph for copying his correspondence
- improvements to plow moldboards for better hillside farming
- a macaroni machine to make the pasta that he came to love when living abroad
The period when he was minister to France was very influential. He absorbed European culture and sent home architectural drawings and scientific instruments. Jefferson made maps, sketches, and measured drawings of buildings, gardens, furniture, and inventions.
While in France, he adopted the use of pencils on graph paper. He brought graph paper back to the United States and used it sparingly, due to its rarity. Amazingly, a few sheets of Jefferson’s drawing paper survive today.
Thomas Jefferson – President, Author of the Declaration of Independence, Founder of the University of Virginia. AND Thomas Jefferson, the Architect!
Read more about the architect and his home at http://www.monticello.org/.
