The Thomas Jefferson Hour

By The Thomas Jefferson Hour

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What's The Thomas Jefferson Hour about?

The Thomas Jefferson Hour features conversations with Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, as portrayed by the award-winning humanities scholar and author, Clay Jenkinson. The weekly discussion features Mr. Jefferson’s views on events of his time, contemporary issues facing America and answers to questions submitted by his many listeners. To ask President Jefferson a question visit his website at www.jeffersonhour.com

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#1363 The Social Contract

11.05.2019

President Thomas Jefferson speaks about the formation of the government of the United States. Jefferson explains the social contract theory that when you are alone, you are sovereign, and when you join with others you have to negotiate what is ...

The Thomas Jefferson Hour episodes:

11.05.2019 #1363 The Social Contract President Thomas Jefferson speaks about the formation of the government of the United States. Jefferson explains the social contract theory that when you are alone, you are sovereign, and when you join with others you have to negotiate what is ...
10.29.2019 #1362 Gardens to Miniatures We are joined this week on the Thomas Jefferson Hour by three of our favorite friends: Pat Brodowski, Beau Wright, and Brad Crisler.
10.22.2019 #1361 Constitution in Crisis We speak with President Jefferson about the role of government in the oversight of elected officials. He tells us that because of the times they lived in, the founding fathers had great concerns about foreign involvement and influence on our ...
10.15.2019 #1360 To Cuba We are joined again this week by Catherine Jenkinson acting as guest host for a delightful conversation about Cuba, Clay’s upcoming cultural tour to Cuba, Thomas Jefferson’s connection to Cuba, and Theodore Roosevelt’s time there. Catherine questions Clay as to ...
10.08.2019 #1359 To Oxford Clay is joined by his daughter Catherine who serves as this week’s guest host. Among the many topics discussed is Catherine's upcoming trip to England where she will become a student this fall at the University of Oxford.
10.01.2019 #1358 Robinson Crusoe We present another installment of the Jefferson Hour Book Club this week, and the selection is Robinson Crusoe, written by Daniel Defoe and published in 1719. It is a book Thomas Jefferson had in his library and reportedly read twice.
09.24.2019 #1357 The Dempster Highway We are joined this week by the Lewis and Clark scholar David Nicandri. In a fascinating conversation, Nicandri tells us about the journey he and his son took on the Dempster Highway all the way to the arctic ocean.
09.17.2019 #1356 Considering Exceptionalism Prompted by a letter from a listener, President Thomas Jefferson shares his views on American exceptionalism and his hope that America will stand as a strong and good example for the rest of the world to follow.
09.10.2019 #1355 Inventive Behavior President Thomas Jefferson speaks to us this week about inventions and scientific discoveries of his time including some he was responsible for.
09.03.2019 #1354 In 1969 This week we speak with Thomas Jefferson briefly about Alexander von Humbolt, and then bring Jefferson closer to our time by informing him that 50 years ago America landed men on the moon, which he has a bit of trouble ...
08.27.2019 #1353 Humboldt and Jefferson We discuss Humboldt and Jefferson by Sandra Rebok, which explores the relationship between two fascinating personalities: the Prussian explorer, scientist, and geographer Alexander von Humboldt and Thomas Jefferson. They met in the spring of 1804 for just a few days, ...
08.20.2019 #1352 Clunky Adjectives In this week’s episode, President Thomas Jefferson answers listener questions, as does Thomas Jefferson Hour creator Clay S. Jenkinson. Subjects discussed include where the name “United States of America” comes from, the poet Phillis Wheatley and slavery in the Northwest ...
08.13.2019 #1351 Eight Objects Clay Jenkinson has returned from his annual Lewis and Clark trip in Montana and Idaho, and he gives us a report on the 2019 tour. Clay also offers a list of eight items Lewis and Clark would have certainly wished ...
08.06.2019 #1350 Diamonds and Dunghills This week, Clay takes a deeper look at Jefferson and religion.
07.30.2019 #1349 Jefferson's Soul On August 20th, 1814, Thomas Jefferson received a letter from Miles King expressing King’s concerns for Jefferson’s eternal soul.
07.23.2019 #1348 Tulip Poplars Jeff Huss of the Huss and Dalton Guitar Company in Staunton, Virginia talks about a very special project: the Jefferson Edition 00-SP Custom guitar which is crafted in part with wood from Monticello. Monticello’s head gardener Pat Brodowski tells us ...
07.16.2019 #1347 Chernow's Hamilton This week, we present another installment in the Jefferson Hour Book Club and discuss Alexander Hamilton by author Ron Chernow.
07.09.2019 #1346 In Search of America Clay has returned from his recent travels and his search for America, and he updates us on that trip. We answer listener mail, including responses to the recent show, #1344 Baked In.
07.02.2019 #1345 Independence Day For our annual Jefferson Hour 4th of July show, we speak with President Jefferson about the founding ideals of America and his participation in the writing of the Declaration of Independence.
06.28.2019 The Supreme Court "It is a necessary evil, and the more we rein it in, the happier and freer we shall be." — Clay S. Jenkinson portraying Thomas Jefferson
06.25.2019 #1344 Baked In We discuss how rigid people’s political thoughts have become during our time, George Will’s observations on citizen’s expectations of government, and what a contemporary Jeffersonian political party might stand for.
06.21.2019 The Wealth of Nations "Every individual [is] led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was no part of his intention." — Adam Smith
06.18.2019 #1343 Forty Books President Jefferson tells us what books he might recommend to juvenile readers, and it turns out to be a fairly limited list. He does, however, recommend Don Quixote, Gulliver’s Travels and Robinson Crusoe.
06.14.2019 Presidential Indictments "I refused to honor the subpoena but I did voluntarily supply some of the documents." — Clay S. Jenkinson portraying Thomas Jefferson
06.11.2019 #1342 Dressing Down "He was drest, or rather undrest, with an old brown coat, red waistcoat, old corduroy small clothes, much soiled-woolen hose-and slippers without heels." — William Plumer, 1802 This week we talk about Thomas Jefferson’s talent for political theater, and the ...
06.07.2019 Clay in Search of America: Granby, CO Clay calls in to talk with David about his travels.
06.04.2019 #1341 Dinner with Jefferson This week, we ask President Jefferson about his famous dinner parties and their extensive menus. It was important to Jefferson to not appear too regal, and the dinner parties were kept somewhat casual.
05.28.2019 #1340 A Gloom Unbrightened We speak with President Jefferson this week about death and suicide, specifically about the deaths of Meriwether Lewis, James Hemmings and Alexander Hamilton.
05.21.2019 #1339 Questions and Answers This week on The Thomas Jefferson Hour, we answer listener questions including a query from a listener in Ireland asking about Jefferson’s thoughts on the Irish rebellion and constitution, Jefferson’s involvement in providing alcohol to troops, suggestions for a Jefferson ...
05.14.2019 #1338 Notes on the State of Virginia We discuss Jefferson’s only published book, Notes on the State of Virginia. Jefferson completed his first draft of the book in 1781 and first published it anonymously in Paris in 1785. It is widely considered the most important American book ...
05.07.2019 #1337 The Vaunted Scene We speak with President Jefferson about his time spent in France.
04.30.2019 #1336 Brodowski and Wright We speak with two of our favorite Jefferson Hour correspondents: Pat Brodowski, the head gardener at Monticello, and Beau Wright, a frequent contributor to the show and a city council member of Lynchburg, VA.
04.23.2019 #1335 The Mustard Seed We answer listener mail about John Wesley Powell, David Thompson, Daniel Flores, Jefferson’s theft of upland rice while he was in Italy, and suggestions for educating young people.
04.16.2019 #1334 Benjamin Rush with Stephen Fried We speak with author Stephen Fried about his new book, Rush: Revolution, Madness, and Benjamin Rush, the Visionary Doctor Who Became a Founding Father.
04.09.2019 #1333 The Constitution Today We discuss Akhil Reed Amar's The Constitution Today, a selection for the Book Club, which contains essays written by Amar over the past two decades. Amar gives us a road map for thinking constitutionally about today’s America.
04.04.2019 Let Us Read the Mueller Report I confess that I did in fact think that more indictments were coming, perhaps even within the Trump family. I did think that Special Prosecutor Mueller would conclude that the Trump organization conspired with the Russians to influence the election. ...
04.02.2019 #1332 Smallpox "Having been among the early converts, in this part of the globe, to [the smallpox vaccine's] efficiency, I took an early part in recommending it to my countrymen." — Thomas Jefferson, 1806
03.29.2019 Ne Plus Ultra "I would have liked to have had Canada. Twice, we invaded Canada during my lifetime, and failed on both occasions." — Clay S. Jenkinson portraying Thomas Jefferson
03.26.2019 #1331 Young Washington with Peter Stark We speak with Peter Stark, author of Young Washington: How Wilderness and War Forged America’s Founding Father. We discuss George Washington’s travels into the Ohio country, and how Washington’s involvement in the Battle of Jumonville Glen touched off the French ...
03.19.2019 #1330 Wilderness and War In anticipation of our conversation next week with Peter Stark, the author of Young Washington, we speak with Jefferson about our first president. Jefferson also comments on the time change, and the importance of using available daylight.
03.12.2019 #1329 Laboratories of Democracy "I am a loyal, proud, cheerleading sort of North Dakotan." — Clay S. Jenkinson A listener in Texas admonishes Clay for offering to give up a North Dakota senate seat, and we take questions about the Fourteenth Amendment. Our constitutional ...
03.05.2019 #1328 Constitutional Correspondence We continue our current theme of constitutional discussions by reading and considering listener mail, including a number of specific suggestions for constitutional amendments. We also share a report from a listener who visited Monticello when Ivanka and Jared Trump were ...
03.01.2019 Appropriations Find this episode, along with recommended reading, on the blog. Support the show by joining the 1776 Club or by donating to the Thomas Jefferson Hour, Inc. You can learn more about our Cultural Tours & Retreats with Clay S. ...
02.26.2019 #1327 Complex Compromises Jefferson answers questions about the Constitution, including topics like presidential pardon power, natural-born citizen requirements, and the constitutionality of signing statements.
02.19.2019 #1326 No Just Government Should Refuse President Jefferson answers a number of listener questions about the United States Constitution. We discuss the meaning of Article V, how much of the document is open to interpretation, and the idea of amending the Constitution every generation.
02.12.2019 #1325 Pax Americana The most mail we received was about Robert Kagan's new book, The Jungle Grows Back, which Tom Friedman of The New York Times called "An incisive, elegantly written, new book about America’s unique role in the world."
02.05.2019 #1324 Lochsa Clay Jenkinson returns from his cultural retreat held at Lochsa Lodge in Idaho last week and reports in on this year's meetings.
01.29.2019 #1323 The Only Security of All Is in a Free Press This week we discuss the importance of a free press with President Jefferson. "were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to ...
01.22.2019 #1322 Roosevelt and Jefferson Prompted by a listener request, and recognizing the 100th anniversary Theodore Roosevelt’s death, this week Clay Jenkinson discusses the differences, and a few similarities, between Roosevelt and Jefferson.
01.18.2019 Government Shutdowns "There must be a better way for the political factions of your time to sort out their differences." — Clay S. Jenkinson portraying Thomas Jefferson

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