[beejaa]

I am currently reading “Jefferson The Virginian” by Dumas Malone. It’s the first of six books about Jefferson which eventually earned him the Pulitzer Prize. I unfortunately don’t have the book with me to quote from, but Jefferson came out against slavery (in writing) before 1776.

[Congressman Billybob]

I did not know that. How widely known at the time was Jefferson's opposition to slavery? Or was it just in a letter to a friend?

John / Billybob

[jla]

Dumas Malone's bio of Thomas J is the best I've read. Some of his biographers try to complicate matters by inserting their own opinions as to Jefferson's personality, or decisions he made. The evidence is clear enough in his own words and actions, as Malone wisely discerned.

American Sphinx by Joseph Ellis is good too, though some discount it on account of the author's bogus claims of serving in Vietnam. His book on Washinton, 'His Excellency', is also worth reading.