Thomas Jefferson

An item at American Writers Museum

As the primary creator of the Declaration of Independence (1776) and third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson established "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" as national ideals. The Virginian was also a lawyer, farmer, architect, inventor-and a prolific writer, penning one book, Notes on the State of Virginia (1785), and over 20,000 letters.
Jefferson's public documents and speeches are famously bold. However, his letters reveal nuanced and even conflicted thoughts on many national issues, including slavery, which he once called an "abominable crime."

AMERICAN VOICES

An exhibit at American Writers Museum

American writing is distinctive, diverse, and comes in many forms from across the nation. The 100 authors featured here represent the evolution of American writing. Learn more about each writer on the timeline by turning the panels below their portraits. Explore centuries of writing by pulling, turning, and touching the interactive elements on the counter.

This is not meant to be a list of the greatest or most influential writers. Instead, we present authors and works as part of the American story as it grows and changes. Taken together, this rich literary heritage reflects America in all of its complexity: its energy, hope, conflict, disillusionment, and creativity.

American Writers Museum