young legislator, he had worked for reform of Virginia's system of public education. Later he had tried to improve William and Mary College. In time, he became convinced that the state needed an entirely new university. After he returned to Monticello, Jefferson worked constantly to create the University of Virginia. He projected his character, interests, and talents in planning a university "based on the illimitable freedom of the human mind to explore and to expose every subject susceptible of its contemplation." Jefferson reorganized the curriculum, hired the faculty, and selected the library books. Jefferson also drew the plans for the buildings and supervised their construction. As a result of his efforts, scholars from other countries were persuaded to teach at the university. In March 1825, Jefferson had the joy of seeing the University of Virginia open with 40 students. (http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/1683/ljindex.htm)But his strength was failing. On July 4, 1826, just 50 years after the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson died. He was buried beside his wife at Monticello. The inscription that Jefferson wrote for his grave marker reads: "Here was buried Thomas Jefferson, Author of the Declaration of American Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom, & Father of the University of Virginia." These were accomplishments that he ranked higher than being president of the United States. ( Thomas Jefferson, by David Saville Muzzey. New York, Scribner, 1918)Thomas Jefferson : a life / Willard Sterne Randall. Published: New York : H. Holt, 1993.Title: Thomas Jefferson, by David Saville Muzzey. Published: New York, Scribner, 1918. Thomas Jefferson, an intimate history [by] Fawn M. Brodie. Published: New York, Norton [1974] http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/mtjhtml/mtjhome.htmlhttp://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/1683/ljindex.htm...
