The Declaration of Independence: With Short Biographies of Its Founders (Books of American Wisdom) - Hardcover

Jefferson, Thomas

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1557094489 ISBN 13: 9781557094483

Publisher: Applewood Books, 1997

Synopsis

Proudly printed in America, this beautiful gift edition contains the Declaration of Independence along with illustrations and biographies of the signers. It is a treasure for Americans of any age.

Drafted by Thomas Jefferson between June 11 and June 28, 1776, the Declaration of Independence summarizes America's founding political philosophy. At once a cherished symbol of liberty and an expression of Jefferson's monumental talents as a writer, the document captures in unforgettable phrases the ideals of individual liberty and formed the backbone of American's Revolutionary movement. In setting forth these self-evident truths alongside a list of grievances against King George's Brittain, the Declaration of Independence justified the breaking of ties with Mother England and the formation of a new country.

About this title

About the Author

Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) was a Founding Father, statesman, and the third President of the United States. Born in Virginia, he rose to prominence as a lawyer and planter before drafting the Declaration of Independence in 1776, articulating the young nation's ideals of liberty and self-governance. Jefferson later served as Minister to France, the first Secretary of State, Vice President, and President from 1801 to 1809, during which he orchestrated the Louisiana Purchase, doubling the nation's size. A man of remarkable intellect, he was also an architect, inventor, and founder of the University of Virginia. 

From the Back Cover

America's most famous document, with illustrations and biographies of the signers.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776. The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.

Edition details

• Publisher: Applewood Books
• Publication date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1557094489
• ISBN 13: 9781557094483
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 40