Thomas Jefferson
A Brief History
With the War for Independence over a year old and hope for a peaceful resolution nonexistent, the Continental Congress appointed a Committee of Five—including Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin—to draft a document “declar[ing] the causes which impel [the American colonies] to the separation.” 33-year-old Jefferson composed the initial draft, completing it in seventeen days. The committee submitted its draft to Congress on June 28, 1776, and on July 2, Congress voted for independence.
On March 4, 1801, Thomas Jefferson was inaugurated as the third president. As president, he is perhaps most famous for the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, which doubled the size of the United States. A lifelong champion of the principles of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson’s dedication to the American spirit made him an inspiration to Hillsdale College.
Joining the Liberty Walk
Dedicated in 2009, this statue is the fourth addition to Hillsdale’s Liberty Walk.
President’s Club members Jack and Annette Henderson of South Carolina funded the statue as well as a scholarship for students who have served in the military or are training to serve following graduation.
Assistant professor of art Tony Frudakis, who sculpted the Lincoln and Reagan statues, also created the Jefferson statue. Frudakis said the Jefferson statue is seated in a chair “pretty close to the one in which he wrote the Declaration of Independence.”
“This statue comes from the head and the heart,” Frudakis said. “I hope everyone will enjoy it for years to come.”
Dr. Jean Yarbrough, the Gary M. Pendy Professor of Social Sciences at Bowdoin College, delivered the dedication speech.
Yarborough called Jefferson “a great political poet” and emphasized the former president’s belief in a contribution to limited government and individual rights. He was also a great champion of education.
She also commented that Hillsdale’s campus reminded her of the University of Virginia, which Jefferson founded and loved dearly.
“Jefferson thought that architecture should reflect the people by lifting the spirit and adding coherence, and Hillsdale’s campus is very Jeffersonian.”