Thomas Jefferson's Education

By turns entertaining and tragic, this beautifully crafted history reveals the origins of a great university in the dilemmas of Virginia slavery. Thomas Jefferson shares centre stage with his family and fellow planters, all dependent on the labour of enslaved black families. With a declining Virginia yielding to commercially vibrant northern states, in 1819 Jefferson proposed to build a university to educate and improve the sons of the planter elite. He hoped they might one day lead a revitalised Virginia free of slavery-and free of the former slaves.

Jefferson's campaign was a contest for the future of a state and the larger nation. Although he prevails, Jefferson's vision of reform through education is hobbled by the actions of genteel students with a defiant sense of honour derived from owning slaves. It is the women of this hypermasculine society who redeem the best elements of his legacy.

About the author

Alan Taylor, twice awarded the Pulitzer Prize in history, is the author of American Revolutions and American Republics, prior volumes in his acclaimed continental history of the United States. He is professor emeritus of history at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Product details

• Authors: Alan Taylor, Alan (University of Virginia) Taylor, Taylor Alan
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 15.11.2019
• EAN: 9780393652420
• ISBN: 978-0-393-65242-0
• Dimensions: 165 mm x 244 mm x 33 mm
• Weight: 752 g
• Illustrations: 23 illustrations
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Education > Education system; Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; USA, Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900, EDUCATION / Administration / General, HISTORY / United States / 19th Century, c 1800 to c 1900, 19th century, c 1800 to c 1899, Organization & management of education, Local History, Educational administration and organization, United States of America, USA, History of the Americas, Central Southern States, US South