Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 – July 4, 1826) was an American Founding Father whose remarkable intellect and versatility left an indelible mark on the nation’s early development. Born in Shadwell, Virginia, he studied law at the College of William & Mary before representing Virginia in the Continental Congress, where he drafted the Declaration of Independence in 1776—a document that eloquently enshrined the principles of individual liberty and popular sovereignty. As governor of Virginia during the Revolutionary War, he championed religious freedom and the abolition of primogeniture, while later serving as U.S. minister to France (1785–1789), where he absorbed Enlightenment ideas that would shape his vision for the new republic. Elected as the third President of the United States (1801–1809), Jefferson orchestrated the Louisiana Purchase, doubling the nation’s territory, and commissioned the Lewis and Clark expedition, which expanded American geographic and scientific knowledge. A devoted scholar of architecture, agriculture, and education, he founded the University of Virginia in 1819, emphasizing a curriculum grounded in reason rather than rote learning. Though his legacy is complicated by his status as a slave owner, Jefferson’s writings and policies profoundly influenced the American commitment to republican government, religious liberty, and westward expansion.

The right of nature... is the liberty each man hath to use his own power, as he will himself, for the preservation of his own nature; that is to say,…

Everywhere the human soul stands between a hemisphere of light and another of darkness; on the confines of the two everlasting empires, necessity and free will. Thomas Carlyle Blessed is…

Three things are necessary for the salvation of man: to know what he ought to believe; to know what he ought to desire; and to know what he ought to…

Thomas Alva Edison (February 11, 1847 – October 18, 1931) was an American inventor and entrepreneur whose prolific work helped shape the modern world. Born in Milan, Ohio, and largely homeschooled by his mother after a brief period of formal education, Edison showed an early fascination with telegraphy and chemistry, selling newspapers and candy on trains while conducting experiments in makeshift labs. In 1876 he established his famous Menlo Park laboratory in New Jersey, the first industrial research facility, where he and his team introduced the phonograph in 1877—an invention that etched spoken words into tinfoil—and perfected a practical incandescent light bulb by 1879, transforming urban life with electric illumination. Eager to bring his creations to market, he founded companies that laid the groundwork for modern electric utilities and the motion picture industry, including the Edison Electric Light Company and the Edison Manufacturing Company. Over a career spanning more than six decades, Edison amassed over 1,000 patents, pioneering technologies such as alkaline storage batteries, carbon microphones for telephones, and early sound recording devices. Despite occasional controversy over patent disputes and business practices, his vision for applied science and systematic research earned him the nickname “The Wizard of Menlo Park.” Toward the end of his life, he continued to experiment with innovations in mining, cement, and chemistry, remaining active until his passing in 1931 in West Orange, New Jersey.

We have more possibilities available in each moment than we realize. Thich Nhat Hanh Because of your smile, you make life more beautiful. Thich Nhat Hanh We humans have lost…

Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care. Theodore Roosevelt Believe you can and you're halfway there. Theodore Roosevelt In any moment of decision, the…

Terry Pratchett (April 28, 1948 – March 12, 2015) was a beloved English author best known for his prolific and imaginative Discworld series—a satirical fantasy saga that blends humor, social commentary, and richly developed characters. Born in Beaconsfield, England, Pratchett began writing at a young age and published his first novel, The Carpet People, at 23. Over the next four decades, he crafted more than 40 Discworld novels, which became internationally acclaimed for their wit, clever parody, and profound insights into human nature and society. Pratchett’s writing often tackled complex themes such as religion, politics, and technology with a lighthearted yet thoughtful touch. Diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease in 2007, he became an advocate for assisted dying and raised awareness about the condition. His legacy endures through his timeless stories, which continue to captivate readers and inspire new generations of fantasy writers.

No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind. Taylor Swift When you're singing you can hear the…

Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go. T. S. Eliot If you aren't in over your head, how do you…