Thomas Jefferson was a multifaceted genius who served as the primary author of the Declaration of Independence and the third U.S. President. His genius lay in his wide-ranging intellectual curiosity, spanning political philosophy, architecture, agriculture, and science. He designed his home, Monticello, and the University of Virginia, pioneering the 'Neoclassical' style in America. Jefferson was also a champion of religious freedom and public education, believing that a 'well-informed citizenry' was the only safeguard for democracy. He doubled the size of the U.S. with the Louisiana Purchase and sent Lewis and Clark to map the new territory, reflecting his lifelong commitment to exploration and knowledge.