Political philosopher Thomas Jefferson was the third U.S. president. He is credited as the primary author of the Declaration of Independence and was the founder of what would become the Republican Party or later the Democratic-Republicans.Famous for his words "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" Jefferson became a beloved political figure, and was intent on a Bill of Rights to protect the people from its own government.
In 1803, Jefferson oversaw the Louisiana Purchase, which added nearly 830,000 square miles to the United States and gave the country access to the major trade port of New Orleans. The acquired area included all or some of what are now Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and other states. It cost a total of over $23 million.
After being a very successful president in the eyes of most, Jefferson retired and returned home to Monicello where he would die in 1826, just hours before John Adams.