Jefferson (Thomas), American statesman, b. Shadwell, Virginia, 2 April 1743. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1767. He became a member of the House of Burgesses, 1769-75. In 1774 he published his Summary Views of the Rights of British-Americans. He drafted and reported to Congress the "Declaration of Independence" which was unanimously adopted, 4 July 1766. He was Governor of Virginia from 1719 to 1781, and originated a system of education in the State. He was Ambassador to Paris from 1785-89, secretary of state from 1789-93, vice-president 1791-1801 and third president of the United States 1801-9. In '19 he founded the University of Virginia, of which he was rector till his death, 4 July 1826. Dr. J. Thomas in his Dictionary of Biography says "In religion he was what is denominated a freethinker." He spoke in old age of "the hocus-pocus phantom of God, which like another Cerberus had one body and three heads." See his life by J. Parton. Johnson (Richard Mentor), Colonel, American soldier and statesman, b. Bryant's Station, Kentucky, 17 Oct. 1781. Was educated at Lexington, studied law, and practiced with success. Became member of the Kentucky Legislature in 1805, and raised a regiment of cavalry '12. Fought with distinction against British and Indians. Was member of Congress from 1807-19, and from '29-37; a United States Senator from '19-29, and Vice-President of the United States, '37-40. Is remembered by his report against the suspension of Sunday mails and his speeches in favor of rights of conscience. Died at Frankfort, Kentucky, 19 Nov. 1850. Johnson (Samuel), American author, b. Salem, Massachusetts, 10 Oct. 1822. He was educated at Harvard, and became pastor of a "Free Church" at Lynn in '53. He never attached himself to any denomination, although in some points his views were like those of the Unitarians and Universalists. About '46 he published, in conjunction with S. Longfellow, brother of the poet, Hymns of the Spirit, Oriental Religions in relation to Universal Religion, of which the volume on India appeared in '72, China '77, and Persia '84. Died Andover, 19 Feb. 1882. Jones (Ernest Charles), barrister and political orator, b. Berlin, 25 Jan. 1819. His father was in the service of the King of Hanover, who became his godfather. Called to the bar in '44 in the following year he joined the Chartist movement, editing the People's Paper, Notes to the People, and other Chartist periodicals. In '48 he was tried for making a seditious speech, and condemned to two years' imprisonment, during which he wrote Beldagon Church and other poems. He stood for Halifax in '47, and Nottingham in '53 and '57, without success. He was much esteemed by the working classes in Manchester, where he died 26 Jan. 1869.