The Van der Kemp Collection: A bundle of Thomas Jefferson's Letters

by Matthew A. Misbach, Stori Misbach (Editor)

Letters of correspondence from one of the most trusted friends of Thomas Jefferson. Some of the letters contained in this book can't be found any other place. Excerpt about Mr. Van der "In a secluded, unassuming village, I have discovered the most learned man in America, cultivating, like our first parent, his beautiful and spacious garden with his own hands cultivating literature and science cultivating the virtues which adorn the fireside and the altar cultivating the esteem of the wise and the good and blessing with the radiations of his illumined and highly gifted mind, all who enjoy his conversation, and who are honored by his correspondence."

Perfect Paperback

Published December 1, 2006

Reviews

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent primary material from Jefferson and some of his correspondents (primarily Van der Kemp, but there is some other indirect correspondence). Short, but very much worth reading if you're into history and/or Jefferson in particular. In particular, this collection gives some relatively rarely sourced insights into his thoughts on religion.