Notes on the State of Virginia

by Thomas Jefferson, William Peden (Editor), William Peden (Introduction)

Overview

This American classic is the only full-length book written and published by Thomas Jefferson during his lifetime. Written in 1781, Notes on the State of Virginia was begun by Jefferson as a commentary on the resources and institutions of his home state, but the work's lasting value lies in its delineation of Jefferson's major philosophical, political, scientific, and ethical beliefs. Along with his accounts of such factual matters as North American flora and fauna, Jefferson expounds his views on slavery, education, religious freedom, representative government, and the separation of church and state. The book is the best single statement of Jefferson's principles and the best reflection of his wide-ranging tastes and talents. This edition, meticulously edited by William Peden, was originally published by the University of North Carolina Press in 1955.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807845882
Publisher:	Omohundro Institute and UNC Press
Publication date:	02/05/1996
Series:	Published by the Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture and the University of North Carolina Press
Edition description:	2
Pages:	344
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.77(d)

About the Author

Thomas Jefferson was the 3rd president of the United States. William Peden is professor emeritus of English at the University of Missouri.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION
A NOTE ON THE TEXT
SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER READING

NOTES ON THE STATE OF VIRGINIA

Appendices
No. I: Charles Thomson's Observations
No. II: Draught of the Constitution
No. III: Act for Establishing Religious Freedom
No. IV: Relative to the Murder of Logan's Family

Letters and Documents

EXPLANATORY AND TEXTUAL NOTES

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

[Peden] has made available the authoritative edition of one of the most important books to emerge in eighteenth-century America. He has set forth the history of its reception and criticism in such a way as to establish his point that in the 'Notes on Virginia' Jefferson 'produced one of America's first permanent literary and intellectual landmarks.'--Virginia Quarterly Review

Editorial Reviews

A quality edition. Recommended. All general and academic collections.--Choice

From the Publisher

Jefferson's was written after his tenure as governor of the state and spelled out many of his thoughts regarding the republican theory of government, the institutions and infrastructure needed for Virginia to prosper, and the proper laws for the governing of a society of self-sufficient farmers. It is in this book that Jefferson first raised a number of his arguments against slavery. Editor Waldstreicher (history, U. of Notre Dame) places the work in historical context in an introductory essay. Also included are 12 letters and other documents, mostly penned by Jefferson, related to the ideas in the . Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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