David Rubenstein Talks Legacy and Symbolism with "Thomas Jefferson"
In this interview, Thomas Jefferson (portrayed by Bill Barker) discusses with David Rubenstein why he chose to be remembered primarily as the author of the Declaration of Independence rather than as President, explains his philosophical view on public service, and reflects on the symbolic coincidence of dying on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration's adoption alongside John Adams.
Summary
David Rubenstein interviews Thomas Jefferson (portrayed by Bill Barker) about his legacy and the choices Jefferson made regarding how he wished to be remembered. Jefferson explains that his epitaph deliberately omits his presidency because he views all public offices—regardless of rank—as equivalent expressions of public service. He states he served in various capacities for forty years but prefers to be known for the gifts he provided to mankind rather than for any particular office held.
When asked about the symbolic significance of dying on July 4, 1826—exactly fifty years after the Declaration of Independence was adopted—Jefferson is cautious about attributing divine intervention to the coincidence. However, he reflects on the final line of the Declaration, which expresses "firm reliance on the protection of divine providence," suggesting this may offer some fulfillment or validation of their revolutionary effort.
Rubenstein then questions whether Jefferson is surprised by the reverence he receives through various national honors: his image on Mount Rushmore, coins, the $2 bill, the Jefferson Memorial, and Monticello. Jefferson responds with some irony, noting that his appearance on currency contradicts his own stated philosophy. He believed that only images of the nation's fauna—animals and mammals such as buffalo—should appear on coins and currency, which he views as a more appropriate form of national symbolism than individual likenesses.
Key Insights
- Jefferson believed that public offices, regardless of rank from justice of the peace to president, should not define one's legacy, and instead preferred to be remembered for intellectual and philanthropic contributions to mankind.
- Jefferson views the coincidence of his death on July 4, 1826—fifty years after the Declaration's adoption—as potentially validating the revolutionary cause through the Declaration's own language about reliance on divine providence.
- Jefferson considers having his image on the $2 bill to be contrary to his own stated philosophical beliefs about what should appear on currency.
- Jefferson advocated that only images of American fauna and mammals, such as buffalo, should appear on coins and currency rather than individual likenesses of people.
- Jefferson explicitly states he did not want to be known for any public office despite serving for forty years in various capacities, preferring instead to be remembered for the gifts he provided mankind.
Topics
Transcript
[0:00] Rubenstein, host of David Rubenstein show on Bloomberg Television, recently sat down with Thomas Jefferson as portrayed by Bill Barker, and David started his conversation by asking the founding father about his legacy. On your epitaph as you that you prepared, it's on your tombstone, it didn't even say you were president of The United States. You know, the first thing it says is author of the Declaration of Independence. You're more proud of being the author of Declaration of Independence than having served as president. Is that right? Well, thank you. Yes. I hope so. Any public office is received [0:33] with the honorarium, the public trust of of our people, the their constituency to serve as a…
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