Notes on the State of Virginia (Penguin Classics) - Softcover

Jefferson, Thomas

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0140436677 ISBN 13: 9780140436679

Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group, 1998

Synopsis

NOTES ON THE STATES OF VIRGINIA is at once a scientific discourse, an attempt to define America, and an examination of the idea of freedom. With the same genius and clear prose style that informs the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson chroniclesVirginia's natural, social and political history. Frank Shuffleton discusses the work's origins, composition and initial reception. His introduction focuses on Jefferson's response to contemporary writings on "New World Degeneracy"; his differingtreatment of Blacks and Native Americans; and his influential role in creating a mythicized American self-image.

About this title

About the Author

Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and was elected President in 1801.

Frank Shuffleton is a professor of English at the University of Rochester.

From the Back Cover

A request in 1780 by the French legation to the United States to learn more about the newly formed thirteen states of America stimulated in Jefferson, as he later described it, a "mysterious obligation for making me much better acquainted with my own country than I ever was before". Written during his first term as governor of Virginia, Notes on the State of Virginia is at once a scientific discourse, an attempt to define America, and an examination of the idea of freedom. With the same genius and clear, flexible prose style that informs the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson chronicles Virginia's natural, social, and political history. In his introduction to this annotated edition, which discusses the work's origins and composition, Frank Shuffelton focuses particularly on Jefferson's response to contemporary scientific writings on "New World degeneracy", his differing treatment of blacks and Native Americans, and his influential role in creating a mythicized American self-image.

Edition details

• Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
• Publication date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0140436677
• ISBN 13: 9780140436679
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 368