Merrill Peterson discusses Thomas Jefferson’s life, politics, and accomplishments and the paradox of Jefferson as a democrat and an aristocrat. Peterson says that Jefferson’s writings and ideas are rooted in Classical thought, English history, and, by the time of the American Revolution, the European Enlightenment. He describes Jefferson’s religious stance as anticlerical and heavily influenced by Enlightenment thought. He notes controversies surrounding Jefferson’s involvement with Sally Hemmings and concludes by addressing how Jefferson would likely respond to twentieth-century social structures and values.
At the time of this interview, Peterson, a Fellow at the National Humanities Center (1980-81), was professor of history at the University of Virginia.
This edition of Soundings was conducted by Wayne J. Pond.
