Today marks our American Rennaisannce man Thomas Jefferson’s 277th birthday. Architect, Statesman, Farmer, Botanist, Philosopher, Founding Father and unfortunately slave owner. Our third President designed many structures.

The most famous of these were The Rotunda at UVA and Monticello. He is quoted to have said that “Architecture is my delight, and putting up and pulling down, one of my favorite amusements.” He schooled himself on many European architectural writings.