Slavery at Jefferson's Monticello: Paradox of Liberty

A striking contrast emerges between the grand narratives of Thomas Jefferson's legacy and the harsh reality of slavery at his Monticello estate. While Jefferson is celebrated as a champion of liberty, an exhibition at the Smithsonian reveals the paradox: over 607 enslaved individuals labored under his ownership, challenging the idealized image of America's third president. The study examines how this duality—liberty and bondage—coexisted within Jefferson's life and ideals, using historical records and artifacts to expose the complexities of his legacy. By juxtaposing a towering, idealized statue with a more human-scale representation surrounded by the names of enslaved individuals, the exhibition forces visitors to confront this unresolved tension.

Grant, J. (2013). Slavery at Jefferson’s Monticello: Paradox of Liberty. Journal of American History, 100(1), 158–162. https://doi.org/10.1093/jahist/jat159