One of Thomas Jefferson’s personal characteristics was that he was a sponge for learning. Even as a youth he was so inquisitive that he was such a good student, the classes didn’t go fast enough for him.

He graduated college at William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, and then continued to study law with George Wythe, who became the first law professor at that college. Wythe later became one of the signers of Jeffferson’s Declaration of Independence.

In Jefferson’s Monticello, his mansion near Charlotte, Tom kept several different locations available for him to sit and read and study at the drop of a hat. He wrote to John Adams: “I cannot live without books.” His collection of books exceeded that of the Congressional Library, which was burned  in the War of 1812, and replaced by Jefferson in 1814.

Jefferson became an extraordinarily learned man. The following story was told of him:

”This breadth of learning is illustrated by an anecdote involving a highly educated man from New England who chanced to meet Jefferson at a country inn one evening, not knowing who he was. The man repeatedly introduced new topics into the conversation, and he was so astounded at his dinner companion’s knowledge that he later inquired of the landlord regarding Jefferson’s identity.

“When he spoke of law, I thought he was a lawyer; when he talked about mechanics, I was sure he was an engineer; when he got into medicine, it was evident that he was a physician; when he discussed theology, I was convinced he must be a clergyman; when he talked of literature, I made up my mind that I had run against a college professor who knew everything.” (as quoted in “Founding Fathers—Uncommon Heroes.”)

His love of books wasn’t his only source of education. Jefferson also learned much from his association with other brilliant Founding Fathers, such as Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, James Madison, and John Adams.

Jefferson always wanted to better himself, to learn as much as he could, to teach others what he had learned in life, and that he did when he became the President and Founder of the University of Virginia at Charlottesville, Virginia, in his later years. He designed their campus, their curriculum, and their policies for learning and manners. He was truly a wise and learned man.