Thomas Jefferson's Qur'an

Thomas Jefferson's Qur'anIn this original and illuminating book, Denise A. Spellberg reveals a little known but crucial dimension of the story of American religious freedom a drama in which Islam played a surprising role. In 1765, eleven years before composing the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson bought a Qur'an. This marked only the beginning of his lifelong interest in Islam, and he would go on to acquire numerous books on Middle Eastern languages, history, and

that "revolution of ideas" that did so much to create the nation we know today

until all words in the message are spelled out in up to 12 letters with no spaces between them

An accurate three dimensional view of the home of Thomas Jefferson makes this ornament highly collectible

Leadwort is slow growing and not thought to be invasive

As former Director of Gardens and Grounds at Monticello

gray foliage

This marked only the beginning of his lifelong interest in Islam

of Bremo Plantation on the James River in March 1817

In a letter to Isaac McPherson

Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus

Publication date:  September 17

Culture: Prefers partial to full shade and moist but well-drained