I'm certainly no expert, but apparently it is a little more complicated
than that. Coincidentally, while doing some particularly tedious
housework over the weekend, I listened to a podcast from the ICJS of a
lecture by Herbert Sloan of Barnard College, author of Principle and
Interest: Thomas Jefferson and the Problem of Debt, updating some of
his work on TJ's financial history:
http://www.monticello.org/podcasts/icjs_podcast.html
Now, Sloan really *is* an expert. I wouldn't want to try to summarize
what he says, but it's quite interesting -- and easy for a
nonspecialist to understand -- and I'd encourage those interested to
tune in.
It definitely made an interesting and unfortunately not entirely
irrelevant background text as I weeded the contents of my clothes
closet.
-- Jurretta
On Jul 9, 2007, at 5:20 PM, Janet Hunter wrote:
>
> In a message dated 7/9/2007 1:22:29 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> [log in to unmask] writes:
>
> Eventually he would go broke through such acts of charity, but
> Jefferson’s
> ideals of public education would transform the nation. Could it all
> have
> begun with a modest $200 pledge?
>
>
>
>
> Thanks so much for pointing out the program. I will try to watch it
> for
> sure.
>
> But, um, I was under the perhaps now mistaken impression that
> Jefferson's
> woeful financial situation at his death (ie, "broke") was due more to
> his great,
> well-known and spectacular love of the finer and more expensive
> things of
> life of the upper class, than extensive charitable expenditures. Has
> someone
> done a spreadsheet on this or something?
>
> Am I wrong?
>
> Best Regards, Janet (Baugh) Hunter
>
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