Today, April 13th, marks 275 years since Thomas Jefferson’s birthday in 1743. Jefferson, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and 3rd President of the United States from 1801 till 1809, was one of the most consistent and influential advocates of freedom, with an influence that far exceeds the borders of America and even the entire Anglo-Saxon world.

Especially in Greece, we have one more reason to celebrate this anniversary: Jefferson was in contact with Adamantios Korais, with whom he corresponded amidst the Greek Revolution, exchanging ideas and suggestions for the institutional defense of freedom in the free Greek state.

In his letters, Jefferson praises Korais in his effort to prepare the Greeks “for the main objective for which they are now fighting for, elevating their educational level and making them capable to govern themselves”. He also states his belief that “nothing could stop our liberal youth from taking some part in this sacred struggle”, although he points out “our government’s fundamental principle regarding abstention from Europe’s quarrels”. Finally, he analyzes thoroughly the US state principles by examining the degree of relevance of each of them to new Greece’s needs.

He encloses his letter as such: “And while I address to the heavens the warmest supplications for the restoration of your countrymen to the freedom and science of their ancestors, permit me to offer you the cordial esteem and high respect which I have and cherish towards yourself personally”.

You can find the correspondence between Jefferson and Korais, as well as all of this great American politician’s references to Korais in this link from Monticello’s website.