Thomas Jefferson in the Cyclopedia

Images of Thomas Jefferson in the Jeffersonian Cyclopedia (1900)

The Jeffersonian Cyclopedia: A Comprehensive Collection of the Views of Thomas Jefferson. Classified and Arranged in Alphabetical Order Under Nine Thousand Titles, Relating to Government, Politics, Law, Education, Political Economy, Finance, Science, Art, Literature, Religious Freedom, Morals, etc. Edited by John P. Foley (New York: Funk & Wagnalls Co., 1900).

This book is a 1,000 page alphabetical compilation of the thoughts of Thomas Jefferson. The entries are taken from the 12 volume collection of his works edited by Paul Leicester Ford. It also includes numerous illustrations of Jefferson and a detailed Topical Index with cross-references to other entries in the cyclopedia. The volume is thus an excellent source for quotations by Thomas Jefferson on thousands of topics. 

Not much is known about the editor, John P. Foley. We can say that a work like this would have taken several years and is the sort of work scholars used to do before there were computerized search engines. We also know from Foley's Preface to the work that he was an ardent Jeffersonian. As he states in the Preface “Among the Statesmen of all time, (Jefferson) is the foremost Expounder of the Rights of Man, of the unalienable right of every human being to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That is the object of all just Government, to preserve which Jeffersonian principles must be sacredly cherished.”

List of portraits and statues of Thomas Jefferson in the book:

  • Portrait by Stuart (Frontispiece)
  • Portrait by Peale (p. 96)
  • Portrait by Desnoyers (p. 192)
  • Portrait by Brumidi (p. 288)
  • Bronze Statue by d Angers (p. 384)
  • Portrait by Stuart (p. 480)
  • Monticello, the Home of Thomas Jefferson (p. 590)
  • Portrait by Sully (p. 714)
  • Marble Statue by Powers (p. 800)
  • Portrait by Otis (p. 896)
Portrait by Stuart (Frontispiece)
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Portrait by Peale (p. 96)
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Portrait by Desnoyers (p. 192)
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Portrait by Brumidi (p. 288)
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Portrait by Stuart (p. 480)
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Portrait by Sully (p. 714)
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Portrait by Otis (p. 896)
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Bronze Statue by d Angers (p. 384)
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Marble Statue by Powers (p. 800)
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Monticello, the Home of Thomas Jefferson (p. 590)
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