| Although Thomas Jefferson's status as a champion of education iswidely known, the essays in Light and Liberty make clear that his efforts toenlighten fellow citizens reflected not only a love of learning but also a love of freedom. Using asa starting point Jefferson's conviction that knowledge is the basis of republicanself-government, the contributors examine his educational projects not as disparate attempts toadvance knowledge for its own sake but instead as a result of his unyielding, almost obsessivedesire to bolster Americans' republican virtues and values.Whether byestablishing schools or through broader, extra-institutional efforts to disseminate knowledge,Jefferson's endeavors embraced his vision for a dynamic and meritocratic America. He aimed not onlyto provide Americans with the ability to govern themselves and participate in the government ofothers but also to influence Americans to remake their society in accordance with his ownprinciples.Written in clear and accessible prose, Light andLiberty reveals the startling diversity of Jefferson's attempts to rid citizens ofthe ignorance and vice that, in the view of Jefferson and many contemporaries, had corroded andcorrupted once-great civilizations. Never wavering from his faith that",knowledge ispower,", Jefferson embraced an expansive understanding of education as the foundation for arepublic of free and responsible individuals who understood their rights and stood ready to defendthem. |
