Jefferson In Love

In 1784, the recently widowed Thomas Jefferson set sail for Paris. As the new nation's minister to France he was expected to deal with the politicians in the court of King Louis XVI, but he was not prepared for the likes of Maria Cosway. Enchantingly beautiful, sophisticated, and witty, this Italian-born woman captured the handsome Virginian's heart. Their romance—lasting more than three years—is recorded in these private billets-doux between the shy American minister and his precocious bonne femme. Presented here for the first time in an accessible and attractive edition are over forty letters that reveal the innermost Jefferson.

Presented here for the first time in an accessible and attractive edition are over forty letters that reveal the innermost Thomas Jefferson.

Booknews

Presents over 40 letters that reveal Thomas Jefferson during his role as America's new minister to France when he wrote these letters to his lover, an obscure Anglo-Italian artist, Maria Cosway, in the midst of pre-Revolutionary France. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

John P. Kaminski is the director of The Center for the Study of the American Constitution at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has written and spoken widely on early American history and the Constitution. He is a former president of The Association for Documentary Editing.