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Martha Jeffersonis the first and only biography of Thomas Jefferson's greatest love and true kindred spirit, who died an untimely death at the young age of thirty-three in 1782. Drawing on a wealth of newly probed sources-including family letters, documents, and the handwritten notes left by Jefferson's famed biographer, Dumas Malone-William G. Hyland Jr. captures the charm, sophistication, and grace, as well as a profound sense of history, of this little known and elusive figure who, until now, has been a mere footnote to the story of America's founding.
Hyland brings us a conflicted and honest Martha Jefferson, who endured the Revolution as valiantly as some men-defending her very doorstep from raiding British troops-and presided over the domestic life of the Jeffersons' "little mountain," Monticello, during her husband's long absences and historic rise to power. A revealing and insightful look at an often overlooked American woman, this book provides a unique and previously unexplored understanding of America's Revolutionary Era, and the men and women upon whose bravery, talent, and resolve our nation was founded.
List of contents
INTRODUCTIONTHE FORESTLITTLE JACKTHE WIDOWLOVE PATSY AND POLLY'UNCHEQUERED HAPPINESS'WARA PROMISESUICIDEPARISEPILOGUE: SALLY HEMINGS AND MARTHA JEFFERSON
About the author
William G. Hyland Jr., a professor of law at Stetson University and practicing attorney, is the author of In Defense of Thomas Jefferson: The Sally Hemings Sex Scandal, and Long Journey with Mr. Jefferson: The Life of Dumas Malone.
Summary
Martha Jefferson is the first and only biography of Thomas Jefferson’s greatest love and true kindred spirit. Drawing on a wealth of newly probed sources, including family letters, documents, and the handwritten notes, William Hyland captures the charm, sophistication, grace and a profound sense of history of this little known and elusive figure.
