After Parliament's passing of the Intolerable Acts in 1774, Jefferson introduced a resolution actively protesting the British crown. During this first role in governance, Jefferson would reveal his revolutionary leanings. In addition to practicing law, Jefferson was a representative in the Virginia House of Burgesses. Jefferson began his role as a political activist and revolutionary at a relatively young age. Through these studies, Jefferson was introduced to the philosophers, John Locke and Francis Bacon, whose writings deeply impacted Jefferson's writing on natural rights and governance. At William and Mary, Jefferson studied mathematics, metaphysics, and philosophy. Though his father died when Jefferson was only fourteen, Jefferson continued his pursuit of education enrolling at the College of William and Mary at age sixteen. Peter Jefferson provided private tutors for his son beginning at the age of 5.
Jefferson's father, Peter Jefferson, was self-taught and decided his children would receive a formal education. Thomas Jefferson was born in Shadwell in the colony of Virginia on April 13, 1743.
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