Conspiracy Theories About Our Founding Fathers

1. Thomas Jefferson was almost certainly not a leading member of the already discontinued Illuminati

One of the most prominent and acclaimed faces of the American Revolution, the achievements of Thomas Jefferson are almost beyond measure. Minister to France, the inaugural Secretary of State, both Vice President and President of the United States, as well as the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, founder of the University of Virginia, and savior of the Library of Congress, Jefferson unquestionably deserves his position on Mount Rushmore. In spite of, and perhaps precisely because of this visibility, Jefferson has equally become the subject of more conspiracy theories than virtually any other American politician in history.

Supportive (and least initially) of the French Revolution, spending also several years in Europe in his capacity as one of America’s first overseas ambassadors, one of the more common conspiratorial rumors regarding Jefferson is that he was himself a leading member of the Illuminati. Allegedly joining the group during this time abroad, these uncorroborated and nonsensical arguments seek to connect his subsequent rise to prominence to sinister and shadowy influences. It should be noted, however, that one conspiracy theory – that Jefferson fathered children with one of his slaves – has since been proven to be true, although his involvement with the defunct Illuminati remains less likely to follow suit.

Where do we find this stuff? Here are our sources:

“Perfectibilists: The 18^th Century Bavarian Order of the Illuminati”, Terry Melanson, Trine Day Publishing (2009)

“The Fate of Reason”, Frederick C. Beiser, Harvard University Press (1987)

“The Philosophy of Thomas Jefferson”, Adrienne Koch, Columbia University Press (1943)

“Sworn on the Altar of God: A Religious Biography of Thomas Jefferson”, Edwin S. Gaustad, Eerdmans Publishing (2001)

“The Many Faces of Alexander Hamilton: The Life and Legacy of America’s Most Elusive Founding Father”, Douglas Ambrose and Robert W.T. Martin, New York University Press (2006)

“Alexander Hamilton America’s Forgotten Founder”, Michael P. Federici, Johns Hopkins University Press (2012)

“Defiance of the Patriots: The Boston Tea Party and the Making of America”, Benjamin L. Carp, Yale University Press (2010)

“The First American: The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin”, H.W. Brands, Anchor Books (2002)

“Benjamin Franklin: An American Life”, Walter Isaacson, Simon and Schuster (2003)

“The Character of John Adams”, Peter Shaw, Omohundro Institute and University of North Carolina Press (1976)

“John Adams”, David McCullough, Simon and Schuster (2001)