Jefferson decided not to seek a third term. He saw his retirement as a source of relief. He never reentered public service again, but instead spent much of his time at his beloved Monticello. In 1815, he sold his library to the U.S. government to pay off debts. It formed the basis of the Library of Congress.

Jefferson's great passion in retirement was creating the University of Virginia. He designed the campus, hired the professors, and created the curriculum. When it opened, he became the university's first rector. He saw this as one of his greatest accomplishments.

Death

In retirement, Jefferson became close once again to John Adams through their letters. This correspondence provides insight into the minds of these great men and the times they endured. Ironically, Jefferson died on the same day as Adams — July 4, 1826 — which also happened to be the fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Thomas Jefferson truly embodied the spirit of a Renaissance Man. He was a politician, philosopher, architect, author, lawyer, inventor, and educator. His tombstone mentions nothing about his time as president. Instead it reads, “Here was buried Thomas Jefferson, Author of the Declaration of Independence, Of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom, And Father of the University of Virginia.”