Video: 'Thomas Jefferson - Author of The Declaration of Indepence & 3rd U.S. President | Mini Bio | BIO'

(Wednesday, April 13, 1743) — Thomas Jefferson, an American statesman, diplomat, lawyer, architect, philosopher, and Founding Father who served as the third president of the United States from 1801 to 1809, was born today at his family’s home in Shadwell, Goochland County, Virginia, now part of Albemarle County.

Among the Committee of Five charged by the Second Continental Congress with authoring the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson was the Declaration’s primary author.

Following the American Revolutionary War and prior to becoming the nation’s third president in 1801, Jefferson was the first United States secretary of state under George Washington and then the nation’s second vice president under John Adams.

As president, Jefferson pursued the nation’s shipping and trade interests against Barbary pirates and aggressive British trade policies.

Video: 'Thomas Jefferson - Architect of America Documentary'

Starting in 1803, he promoted a western expansionist policy with the Louisiana Purchase which doubled the nation’s claimed land area. To make room for settlement, Jefferson began the process of Indian tribal removal from the newly acquired territory.

As a result of peace negotiations with France, his administration reduced military forces.

He was re-elected in 1804, but his second term was beset with difficulties at home, including the trial of former Vice President Aaron Burr, who was acquitted of plotting to create an independent country.

In 1807, American foreign trade was diminished when Jefferson implemented the Embargo Act in response to British threats to U.S. shipping. The same year, Jefferson signed the Act Prohibiting the Importation of Slaves.