Thomas Jefferson

1997•1h 30m•7.5/10

Documentary

Ratings

🎬TMDb

7.5/10(11)

The complex life of Thomas Jefferson, who wrote that "all men are created equal" yet owned slaves, is recounted by master filmmaker Ken Burns in this probing documentary. Covering Jefferson's diplomatic work in France, his two presidential terms, his retirement at Monticello and more.

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Production

American Lives Film Project, Florentine Films, WETA

Language

Status

Ended

First Aired

February 18, 1997

Last Aired

February 19, 1997

Networks

PBS

Where to Watch

Region US · Lang EN

No providers available for this region.

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Seasons & Episodes

Select a season to view episodes. Reddit links may contain spoilers.

Season

Part 1

Air date: 1997-02-18

Jefferson also made himself into a true renaissance man – a scholar, a philosopher, a diplomat, an aesthete, and an architect. As a young man, he was transformed by the fire of the Enlightenment into America’s most articulate voice for human liberty.

Part 2

Air date: 1997-02-19

Jefferson’s last years were spent founding the University of Virginia and reestablishing his friendship, after decades of estrangement, from his onetime rival John Adams. His influence on and vision for our country reverberates to this day.