Presidents: Thomas Jefferson 3/46: founding father, republican, democrat and slave owner.

Jefferson, the man the legend, the founding father, president number 3, immortalised by the Jeffersonian, schools and streets and who knows what all over the USA and of course, who could forget, slave owner!He even leased his slaves out to others so that he could profit from them while he was in France. Jefferson is tainted and we have to look at him through those eyes.He was well educated, he had access to elite education, access to the writings of all the great political thinkers of the time and was inspired by George WytheHis presidency is shaped by three fundamental events: The first Barbary War, The Louisiana Purchase and the Embargo Act of 1807.In addition his intimate relationship with Sally Hemmings and his close friendship with Jupiter Evans give us pause for thought. What was truly important for Jefferson? Why did he not free so many of the people who he was personally entangled with?