Thomas Jefferson Statue

Thomas Jefferson sailed to Paris in 1785, taking over Benjamin Franklin's role as Ambassador of the United States in France and remained in Paris until the end of 1789, hence witnessing the first six months of the French Revolution!

Among other great services rendered during and after the American Revolution, this Founding Father is of course remembered for the Declaration of Independence.

In the summer of 1789, the Marquis de Lafayette approached Jefferson for his help as a writer. Lafayette was working on his draft for France's Declaration of the Rights of Men and Citizen. Jefferson's initial reaction was to refuse, stating such national document should be written by French citizens.

But the young Marquis would not take no for an answer! Jefferson finally agreed to review Lafayette's three successive drafts. As the document was a collaborative effort with other members of the French National Assembly, Lafayette's contribution was not the only one. So God only knows to what extent, Thomas Jefferson's ideas or words have also “enlightened" the Declaration of the Rights of Men and Citizen. Vive l'Amérique, Vive Thomas Jefferson!