Jefferson's school

Author: Gary Wills [USA]
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-11-01
Features: The University of Virginia is a gem in American architecture and one of Thomas Jefferson's most proud achievements in his life. Jefferson was not only a genius in politics but also highly skilled in the arts. Therefore, among all his world-renowned achievements in his life, the university built in Charlottesville may be the best embodiment of Jefferson as a leader, an artist, and a philosopher. Mr. Jefferson's School is not only a record of the birth of a national university but also a vivid and authentic portrayal of the life of this remarkable American, the founder of the school, Thomas Jefferson. Renowned historian Gary Wills reveals to us the entire creative process of this great architectural work. The book traces Jefferson's journey from his initial idea of constructing an "academic village" to the eventual construction of a classic higher education institution.
Chapter 3: Dialogue with Nature
During the nine years of the founding of the University of Virginia, the project's central command center was located on a hill near the school, which was Jefferson's Monticello estate. The relationship between Monticello and the University of Virginia was not accidental. For many years, Jefferson had hoped to build a place for scholars and students near his home. Although Jefferson could enjoy a romantic and high-quality life in his quiet mountain estate, he often felt that it lacked intellectual stimulation. He had invited some scholars to live at Monticello long-term, such as Abihyose Correia da Silva, the founder of the Portuguese Academy and a member of the Royal Society of London, who lived there for a long time and even had a bedroom dedicated to him called "Abby's Room." During the American Revolutionary War, some British generals were imprisoned in Charlottesville by the Americans. Upon learning this, Jefferson invited some of them to his home at Monticello, hoping to add some "intellectual delicacies" to his table. Although Jefferson was later forced to sell his library to the Library of Congress due to debt, he had previously used donations of books as one of the conditions for establishing a university near his home. Jefferson even requested that President Washington transfer a group of Swiss professors with differing political views to Virginia and raise funds for it. He believed that these people would become the core force in building a university. (However, Washington rejected Jefferson's request because he felt that the French-speaking scholars were more useful to Jefferson personally than to young students.) After years of effort, Jefferson finally obtained the necessary funds and land (though both were initially insufficient) to build a new university at the foot of his Monticello estate. This way, Jefferson could not only manage his farm production at home but also overlook the entire construction of the school from the top of Monticello every day. On the northern platform of Monticello, he could clearly see the construction progress of the project below with a telescope focused at the right distance—and the workers were all well aware that this shrewd boss always kept things firmly under control. In the early years of construction, Jefferson often rode down the mountain to observe and guide the workers' work closely. As long as the weather conditions permitted, such inspections were conducted on average every other day. Later, as the project's progress slowed and he grew older, he sometimes had to choose to take a carriage down the mountain (a carriage was bumpier than riding a horse but saved some energy). Finally, when Jefferson began to find even riding in a carriage too exhausting, he could only call the engineering agent (supervisor) and some of the main craftsmen up the mountain to report on the progress and receive new construction instructions.
In 1824, the Marquis de Lafayette came to Charlottesville during his famous visit to the United States. Jefferson finally made the effort to go down the mountain and personally took this important guest to tour his university. He hosted a banquet for the Marquis in the unfinished round building at the time. However, nine months later, when Lafayette was about to conclude his American journey,