Thomas Jefferson was the third President of the United States, serving from 1801 to 1809. He was a skilled statesman, diplomat, and political philosopher who played a leading role in drafting the Declaration of Independence and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. As president, he oversaw the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the size of the United States, and he also supported the Lewis and Clark expedition to explore the newly acquired territory. Jefferson was a proponent of individual liberty and limited government, and his presidency saw significant changes to the country's political and legal systems. Despite his many accomplishments, Jefferson's presidency was also marked by controversy, including his support for the embargo of 1807 and his controversial decision to send the U.S.S. Constitution to the Mediterranean to combat piracy. Overall, Thomas Jefferson's presidency was a significant period in American history, marked by both achievement and controversy.