The Public Jefferson: Introduction

Let's begin our study of the Jefferson-Hemings controversy asking what we know of Thomas Jefferson, the public figure. After all, interest in the sexual intrigues of lesser presidents hardly outlives them. There would be no meaningful controversy unless Jefferson's august stature were at stake.

So, what kind of "face" does Thomas Jefferson have for you in our culture? In what way does Jefferson reside in our official public representations? What image do you have of him? What do you remember about Jefferson from your history books and history courses? How has Jefferson been packaged for you? What niche does he have in American history, what place in the pantheon of American heroes? How is Jefferson positioned with reference to the other "Founding Fathers"? How does he rank among American presidents? In what way is he a role model for American citizenship? What does the term "Jefferson" call up on the screen of your consciousness, of general popular consciousness? What does he stand for in American life? Why is he worthy of such a magnificent monument in our nation's capital? Why is Jefferson important to our nation, sacred even? In what way is he relevant to our time?

Jog your thinking on such fundamental framing questions by considering two major representations of Jefferson you can easily experience from our own computers -- the film Thomas Jefferson by renowned documentarian Ken Burns (1997) and the web site of the living public history shrine at Monticello, Jefferson's home.

The basic question here is why is Thomas Jefferson important to "us"?

1) Ken Burns, Thomas Jefferson (PBS Home Video, 1997)

Burns, one of the major "makers" of history in our time, considers Jefferson "the most important human being born in the last 500 years." What, according to Burns, are the major events in Jefferson's life? What contributions did he make to our society? What kind of a "man" was he? What events or actions epitomize his character? What Jefferson quotes stick out? Even if you can only view his introduction (the first ten minutes), what do you sense as Burns's approach to Jefferson? What subjects are highlighted right from the starting gate? What phrases from the string of talking heads stick in your mind?

2) Monticello (Jefferson's home, maintained by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation)

Monticello, the home that Jefferson built and rebuilt and rebuilt throughout his lifetime, the locus of his longings during the many years of his public life ("All my wishes end, where I hope my days will end, at Monticello"), is truly one of America's sacred grounds, one of our most popular tourist attractions. How is Jefferson represented there? Browse the rich resources of the Monticello web site, but, for now, stay away from sections that deal with slavery and Sally Hemings. For now focus especially on what kind of image Monticello creates for Jefferson and his character in such sections as A Day in the Life, the house, and the gardens.

So, using the Burns and Monticello prompts, give some thought to the public Jefferson. Test or tease out your take on the public Jefferson with the aid of the selection of responses that follow. Reflect, and then move on to consideration of the private Jefferson.

(Another "priming the mental pump" activity we can recommend here as prologue is to read a selection of Jefferson's own writings on race and slavery to determine his personal attitude toward African Americans and his political activities in their regard as a framework for thinking about a possible relationship with Hemings.)