Thomas Jefferson

What Is Still American in the Thought of Thomas Jefferson?

Thomas Jefferson’s glowing appraisal of the average person’s moral impulse and acceptance of Lockean social-compact theory as the best basis of an operative political philosophy naturally led him to another of his key political principles: federalism... Asked...

Was Thomas Jefferson a Philosopher?

Thomas Jefferson is a kind of incarnate compendium of the Enlightenment. His remarkable openness to its spirit is the philosophical counterpart to his political sensitivity in making himself "a passive auditor of the opinions of others," so as to catch the "harmonizing sentiments of the day" and...

Natural Aristocracy

For I agree with you that there is a natural aristocracy among men. The grounds of this are virtue and talents. Formerly bodily powers gave place among the aristoi. But since the invention of gunpowder has armed...

Thomas Jefferson and the Paradox of Slavery

The masters of slaves, it turned out, were themselves neither independent nor self-sufficient, but were bound to, and reliant upon, their slaves both for their welfare and their identity. This vague recognition in part accounts for the grim tone that Thomas Jefferson adopted in his analysis of...

In Honor of Mr. Thomas Jefferson’s 275th Birthday

Here are recommended essays regarding Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 - July 4, 1826) on The Imaginative Conservative: Looking for Mr. Jefferson by Clyde Wilson Thomas Jefferson’s Birthday by Clyde Wilson

Thomas Jefferson, Conservative

Today’s offering in our Timeless Essay series affords our readers the opportunity—on the occasion of Thomas Jefferson's 275th birthday—to join Clyde Wilson as he reflects upon Dumas Malone's magisterial work, Jefferson and His Time. —W. Winston Elliott III, Publisher A Review of The Sage...

Orestes Brownson and the Limits of Freedom

If a democracy drifts into unlimited notions of freedom, the best course of action is not to strip citizens of freedom, but rather to educate them, so that they can correct any constitutional abuses that contributed or led the way to the abyss of nihilism... Introduction

Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom

Editor's Note: Thomas Jefferson considered his authorship of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom one of his three greatest accomplishments; he dictated that his gravestone should acknowledge this fact next to his authorship of the Declaration of Independence and...

The World They Made Together

Thomas Jefferson knew black people’s daily lives, aptitude and fortitude, their beliefs and courage and human warmth. He was at home with black people whether they were new to Virginia or had been born after several generations in Virginia and were integral within his conjoined families...

The Progeny of Jefferson and Adams

All Americans tend to look at the nation either as disciples of Jefferson or as disciples of Adams: Jefferson told Americans what they wanted to hear; Adams told Americans what they needed to know... I. ...

Thomas Jefferson in His Own Words

Editor's Note: We invite you to join Thomas Jefferson (portrayed by Bill Barker) as he explores the remarkable history of the early American Republic and the principles that undergird it. From Jamestown to Plymouth, from the American Revolution to the Louisiana Purchase, the promise of free enterprise...

What the ACLU Gets Wrong About the Separation of Church & State

America’s Founders did not want Congress to establish a national church, and many opposed establishments at the state level as well. Yet there was virtually no support for the sort of separation of church and state promoted today by organizations such as the ACLU...

The Reformation & the Secularization of America

The “separation of church and state” was intended in part to prevent the sorts of religious conflicts that had racked Europe in previous centuries. Nevertheless, it was only a matter of time before the ambiguity of this figure of speech would be exploited...

The Revolutionary Conservatism of Jefferson & Small Republics

Americans have tried the Hamiltonian experiment of centralized government, usury, and gigantism long enough. Surely it is time, somewhere, for the Jeffersonian vision to begin to reappear... Today’s offering in our Timeless Essay series affords readers the opportunity to join Arthur J. Versluis as he explores...