University of Virginia

Item

Name

University of Virginia

Given Name

University of Virginia

Birth Date

1819

Occupation

Teaching

Description

The University of Virginia was founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819. Jefferson began conceptualizing a university in 1802 while he was serving as the president of the United States (1801-1809). In 1817, Jefferson, fellow U.S. presidents James Madison and James Monroe, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Marshall were joined by twenty-four additional dignitaries to determine a site for a university. Farmland that had belonged to James Monroe was purchased for the location. The University was chartered on January 25, 1819.