This volume invites readers to rediscover Thomas Jefferson through an exploration of his enduring public and private writings. Among the public documents examined are two of Jefferson's best-known contributions to American history, the Declaration of Independence and his first inaugural address. On a more personal level, the work contains the written dialogue between Jefferson and his dying wife, Martha, as well as tender letters written to his daughters and grandson. Also included are thought-provoking letters written to friends and fellow thinkers, highlighted by extracts from famous correspondence between the aging Jefferson and John Adams.