Thomas Jefferson: Statesman of Science

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Summary: Thomas Jefferson: Statesman of Science
Review: Silvio A. Bedini has written Thomas Jefferson: Statesman of Science with an eye on the scientific Jefferson from his early days to his demise. Jefferson had a scientific preoccupation throughout his entire life, always looking at the things around him.

We have read books on Jefferson's multifarious life, as a lawyer, politician, diplomat, architect of Monticello and the University of Virginia, but Jefferson's talents went much further... as Jefferson would say, "Science is my passion, politics my duty." Jefferson looked at nature with a keen eye. As he sent Lewis and Clark to explore the newly purchased western territory, they sent back enough curiosities to keep Jefferson's mind occupied.

Jefferson's mind was so absorbed in sciences that he published his work "Notes on the State of Virginia" one of the most important works on science of the eighteenth century, later it helped earn him the title of "Father of American palentology."

From fossils to plants, ingenious devices, cartography, mathematical instrumentation, and many other ideas all sparked Jefferson's fertile mind... the author takes us on road of exploration into Jefferson's inventive, curious, and brilliant scientific achievements, all in a narative to pique our interest. Jefferson was on the vanguard of achievements not only here in the United States but abroad as well thus fueling his preoccupation with the sciences.

This book carries us through Jefferson's life as his inventive mind produced many utilitarion devices or improved others that already existed. Cryptography, the science of weather, medicine and farming all captivated Jefferson as we read on in the book.

I highly recommend reading this fascinating book.