Thomas Jefferson is a complicated figure. A champion of liberty who owned slaves, a brilliant writer who wasn’t exactly known for his oratory skills. History’s new docuseries about the Founding Father continues this week with an examination of Jefferson’s time as Governor of Virginia during the Revolutionary War. And let’s just say, the gig didn’t exactly go smoothly.
This third episode, “Jefferson at War,” focuses on Jefferson’s struggles to lead a state during wartime, despite his lack of military experience. While he was a brilliant writer and thinker, leading troops and making tough decisions under fire wasn’t exactly his forte. The episode will reportedly depict a period of intense public criticism and personal hardship for the future president.
Was he in over his head? Did his intellectual nature clash with the practical realities of warfare? The episode will no doubt explore these questions, painting a more complete portrait of Jefferson, warts and all.
“Jefferson at War (1777-1784)” airs Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 8:00 PM on History.
