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Thomas Jefferson

Season 1
Revered as the author of the Declaration of Independence, yet condemned as a lifelong owner of slaves, Thomas Jefferson remains the enigma that is America. By the end of his life, he had advanced the cause of freedom everywhere.
19972 episodesTV-G
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Episodes

  1. S1 E1 - Life/Liberty: Our Sacred Honor
    February 17, 1997
    1 h 26 min
    TV-G
    Thomas Jefferson's beginnings in Virginia are detailed from his education at William & Mary, the building of Monticello, to his marriage and children. Jefferson is called to Philadelphia as a statesman, and to Paris as a diplomat. While Jefferson was laying the foundations of a new government and country, his work was tragically interrupted by a series of personal losses at his Monticello home.
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  2. S1 E2 - Liberty: The Age of Experiments/The Pursuit of Happiness
    February 18, 1997
    1 h 29 min
    TV-G
    As the third president of the United States, Jefferson was responsible for doubling the size of the country with the Louisiana Purchase. Jefferson's battles with the Federalist movement are explored; as well as his controversial relationship with his slave, Sally Hemings; his retirement to Monticello; and the ensuing personal tragedies that surrounded him towards the end of his life.
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Subtitles
None available
Directors
Ken Burns
Producers
Ken BurnsCamilla Rockwell
Cast
Ossie Davis
Studio
PBS
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