Jefferson

by Albert Jay Nock

1926. Biography of the third president of the United States and author of the Declaration of Independence. He was one of the most brilliant individuals in history. His interests were boundless, and his accomplishments were great and varied. He was a philosopher, educator, naturalist, politician, scientists, architect, inventor, pioneer in scientific farming, musician, and writer, and he was the foremost spokesman for democracy of his day.

Genres: Biography, History, Politics, Nonfiction, American History, American

340 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1926

About the author

American libertarian author, Georgist, social critic of the early and middle 20th century, outspoken opponent of the New Deal.

He served as a inspiration for the modern libertarian and Conservative movements.

He was one of the first Americans to self-identify as "libertarian"

http://alumnus.caltech.edu/~ckank/Ful...

Reviews

[Carol Apple · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because I enjoy Mr. Nock's writing style and general attitude toward life and culture. As he writes in his postscript, this book is not meant to be a formal biography in the usual sense but is rather a "study" of manner and character. I got the feeling the author considers Jefferson to be a member of his rare intellectual lineage consisting of those educated persons who see the world for what it is, especially the cannibalistic tendencies of human government. This book focuses most on Jefferson's "disinterested" character - meaning that as far as his public life, he took an objective view and acted according to his conception of what was right. In Nock's view, if Jefferson had any weaknesses, they were in a too trusting faith that Reason would prevail and that a free and literate populace would always make wise decisions based on reason.

The book's main theme seems to be Jefferson's defining intellectual belief, which was that society should be set up to support the producers such as farmers and artisans, as opposed to those who profit from the productive efforts of other people, such as bankers and speculators (a view represented by Alexander Hamilton). Being an instrumental part of the birth of a nation gave Jefferson the rare opportunity to do what he could to set up a society according to his vision. The poignant tragedy is that despite the inspiring words of the Declaration and the Bill of Rights, Jefferson was nearly alone in his sincerity. Apparently, though I'd have to research more to confirm this, Jefferson was the only U.S. President who actually lost and did not gain in wealth due to his time in office.

Note: This book does not mention Sally Hemings. It does not go into a lot depth about Jefferson's personal or domestic life, but concentrates more on his philosophical and political thought.

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A FAMED LIBERTARIAN'S BIOGRAPHY OF THE AMERICAN FOUNDER

Albert Jay Nock (1870-1945) was an influential American libertarian author and social critic, who was also the author of 'Memoirs of a Superfluous Man,' 'Our Enemy, the State,' 'The Disadvantages of Being Educated & Other Essays,' 'The State of the Union: Essays in Social Criticism,' etc. This book was first published in 1926.

He notes, "Mr. Jefferson regarded with profound distrust and disfavor the phenomenon of the political woman... He was continually shocked by the coarseness and vulgarity, let alone the scandalousness, of the custom which permitted women in search of favors not only to visit public officials, but to visit them alone, without the present of a third person to guard the proprieties." (Pg. 55) He adds, "their persistent love of adornment bore him eloquent testimony to the better way that things were managed in Virginia, where women did their duty in that station of life unto which it had pleased God to call them. He remarks this with a detachment so profound as to give his observations a patronizing air---one may charitably hope that they never fell under the eye of contemporary feminism..." (Pg. 100-101)

Nock asserts, "He was for control of government by the producing class: that is to say, by the immense majority which in every society actually applies labor and capital to natural resources for the production of wealth. His instincts reacted ... against anything that menaced that interest." (Pg. 116) He observes, "Economy furnished Mr. Jefferson a good pretext for indulging his inveterate dislike of ceremonial formalities." (Pg. 155) John Randolph said of him, "He, sir, was the only man I knew or ever heard of, who really, truly, and honestly, not only said 'Nolo episcopari,' but actually refused the mitre." (Pg. 157)

Nock also records, "When he left the Presidency, Mr. Jefferson was about twenty thousand dollars in debt... Mr. Jefferson died in the belief that his debts were taken care of, and his family assured of a permanent home at Monticello... But within six months [of his death] most of his personal property was sold for debt, and all of it within a year... His daughter and her family were turned out of their home... and Monticello was alienated for a century, to serve as an object of idle sentiment and yet more idle curiosity to generations which its builder knew not, and which knew not him." (Pg. 196, 200)

Not the most "scholarly" or comprehensive biography of Jefferson, this will be of most interest to those who are sympathetic to Nock's views.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

No one would call A.J. Nock a naif. And his writing style is superb. But this book, Nock's findings, are dated. Later research reveals a much more complex and less admirable Jefferson.

[JP · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm sure it is given its simple title on the basis of Jefferson's own assertion that even the title of "Mr." President" was more than was necessary. Nock makes it clear that he is neither historian nor biographer here, but merely a student of Jefferson's life. Nock portrays Jefferson as that ideal combination of mathematician and poet necessary to make a truly practical man. Nock relates the Anglican political structure and debate of William and Mary as being the training ground that gave Jefferson such a grounding in political philosophy. (Jefferson's own letters from "Devilsburg" validate this.) After his brief practice of law, Jefferson scorned the profession, remarking that at the end of his life "the lawyer has only to recollect how many, by his dexterity, have been cheated out of their right and reduced to beggary." He separated personal differences from political differences and found anyone who didn't to be vulgar. He believed firmly in the "industrious life," quoting Nock: "he himself has never been idle for an aggregate of twelve hours in his whole life, and in the large sense, he had always been happy." Regarding art, Nock observes that most people tend to work first for wealth after which they can purchase the luxury of art. Jefferson's emphasis on education, not followed during his early years in Virginia, were adopted late in life with a new system across the state and the founding of the University of Virginia. Thomas Jefferson himself finally became insolvent during his last years and was relieved by the help of so many private individuals (even whole cities). Out of principle, he had turned down help form the Virginia legislature. On his deathbed, he continually asked if it was yet the 4th (the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration) and died on that day, 5 hours after John Adams. Nock also covers Jefferson's relationship with the other founding fathers, his relationship with the French, and his policies as president - all with that sharp insight he brings to any topic.

[Brian Manville · Rating 3 out of 5]

Farmer...architect...inventor...philosopher...governor...ambassador...secretary of state...vice president...president...founder of the University of Virginia. That's a lot to accomplish in 83 years, and needless to say that the man who did all of that was a complicated man. Yet there are many, many books written about America's 3rd president. Albert Jay Nock paints a straightforward account of Jefferson's life without the hagiography that can be tempting to the biographer.

Written in 1928, Nock was given backing by wealthy fans to write this biography, presumably fans of his work at The Freeman as well as that as a free-lance journalist. Here, Nock is able to go beyond mere reporting to combine information gathering and analysis that still allows the reader to make his own judgments upon the information being presented.

BOTTOM LINE: An old-school biography that merits your time.

[Sgt · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amateur biography on the most radical President, written with the view and through the eyes of a similar intelligent and educated man. Nock read through Jefferson's letters and drew his own conclusions outside of the common statist mentality of court exaltation which dominates the field of Historians. What motivated Jefferson to write the Declaration? What did he do in his spare time? How were his formative years spent and how were they crucial to his worldview? Why did he accept the presidency and regret his decisions in office later? Read and learn...

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a bit slow and I lost interest.