[VRWCmember]

I tend to believe he did father children for Sally from what I have read in the past.

And how much of what you "have read in the past" is based on either sloppy transcription or outright academic fraud like the information described in the article?

I think there is a third side: one that neither seeks to elevate TJ to sainthood, nor to morph Hemmings into the image of some fictional character, but rather hopes to have the historical record left intact without politically correct revisionism.

[cyborg]

We will never know so yes I think it should be left alone. You know how human beings are,they're never satisfied.

[Publius]

A long time ago I posted Thomas Jefferson: Radical and Racist, a Conor Cruise O'Brien article that appeared in the Atlantic back in 1996. (O'Brien argued that Jefferson should be drummed out of the roll of the Founding Fathers.)

The article produced some fine, reasoned debate on FR, but unfortunately I can't find that original thread.

The Atlantic article is not bad, but it's a bit strident.

[elbucko]

I think there is a third side: one that neither seeks to elevate TJ to sainthood, nor to morph Hemmings into the image of some fictional character, but rather hopes to have the historical record left intact without politically correct revisionism.

I agree. I would prefer provable fact in place of the ongoing speculation. However it turns out matters not to me. If Tom and Sally were an item, I hope they both enjoyed the relationship. It is not right that a great man or a humble slave be lonely. OTOH, if Jefferson was true in life to Martha, let it be known. It won't make him a saint. Those of us who have spent the time to read about Jefferson know he was just a man. As remarkable as he may be to our history and Republic.