University Press of Virginia, 1995

The Inner Jefferson: Portrait of a Grieving Optimist looks at Thomas Jefferson as a student of literature and a self-expressive letter writer. To study the nature of letter writing of the eighteenth century not only enables us to chart the importance of friendship in the evolution of a remarkable political career; beyond Jefferson, this study also provides insight into the manner by which educated men consciously made efforts to advance their interests without appearing outwardly ambitious.