Portrait of Jefferson by artist Rembrandt Peale, 1803. Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 - July 4, 1826) was an American Founding Father, principal author of the Declaration of Independence and third President of the US, 1801-09. He produced formative documents and decisions at both the state and national level. He became the United States Minister to France in 1785, and the nation's first Secretary of State in 1790-93 under President Washington. He was elected the second Vice President, serving under John Adams from 1797 to 1801. When elected president he oversaw a peaceful transition in power, purchased the vast Louisiana Territory from France, and sent the Lewis and Clark Expedition to explore the new west. He was in contact with some of the leading figures in the European scientific Enlightenment and helped to introduce their discoveries and new ways of thinking to the United States. On July 4th at ten minutes before one o'clock Jefferson died at the age of 83, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and a few hours before John Adams, whose own last words were, "Independence forever" and "Thomas Jefferson survives."