In 1809, Jefferson’s second term as president ended. He headed straight for Monticello. Someone else who had worked as hard as Jefferson did might have decided to take a little time off. But in his retirement, Jefferson was almost as busy as before.
By the time he returned to Monticello, he was known worldwide. People called him the Sage (wise person) of Monticello. Hundreds of people from all walks of life came to see him or wrote him letters, asking for his advice and opinions. He played a key role in the founding of the University of Virginia, and he often advised his successors, Presidents James Madison and James Monroe. Until his health failed, Jefferson lived as he had advised his daughter Martha to do, so long ago. He just “kept on doing.”
