Did you know that John Adams had to coax Thomas Jefferson into writing
the Declaration of Independence? It's true. The shy Virginia statesman
refused at first, but then went on to author one of our nation's most
important and inspiring documents. The third U.S. president, Jefferson
was also an architect, inventor, musician, farmer, and-what is certainly
the most troubling aspect of his life-a slave owner. Finally, here's a
biography for kids that unveils the many facets of this founding
father's remarkable and complicated life.