Skip to main content

Secondary sourcePhotograph10 May 2008

Thomas Jefferson's Gravesite at Monticello

Queerbubbles · 10 May 2008

A photograph of Jefferson's grave at Monticello, marked by a stone obelisk and iron gate, where his self-written epitaph stands.

This is Jefferson's burial site, marked by a monument reflecting how he wished to be remembered.

Ask Thomas Jefferson about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Black wrought-iron gate with scrollwork and star cutouts, with a brass plaque reading 'This graveyard plot is the private property of Thomas Jefferson's descendants' and a gold seal with a lion crest. A gray stone obelisk rises behind the gate against green trees.
Photograph of Thomas Jefferson's gravesite at Monticello, VA, by Queerbubbles, 2008.

About this source

What it is

This photograph shows the gravesite of Thomas Jefferson at Monticello, his home in Virginia. A black wrought-iron gate with scrollwork and star cutouts, along with a brass plaque noting the private ownership of the plot by Jefferson's descendants, surrounds a gray stone obelisk marking his grave. The photo was taken in 2008 by a photographer known as Queerbubbles.

Why it matters

The gravesite is where Jefferson chose to be buried, and the obelisk reportedly bears his own words about how he wished to be remembered. It offers insight into how Jefferson thought about his legacy and how his descendants continue to honor that memory.

Look closer

  • Why might Jefferson have wanted to write his own epitaph?
  • What does the ironwork and plaque tell you about who controls this site today?
  • What is missing from a gravesite that a full biography might include?

This photograph is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Thomas Jefferson on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More Thomas Jefferson sources

Meet the AI Thomas Jefferson →
Scan of the engrossed Declaration of Independence on aged parchment. Heading reads 'In Congress, July 4, 1776' with the title 'The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America' below. Dense handwritten text fills the page; signatures appear at the bottom.Document

Primary source

Declaration of Independence

Continental Congress (drafted by Thomas Jefferson) · 1776

Oval stipple engraving portrait of a man with white hair, dark coat and white cravat, titled 'Tho.s Jefferson, President of the United States of America', with 'European Magazine' above and publication line below.Painting

Primary source

Thomas Jefferson Stipple Engraving after Gilbert Stuart

After Gilbert Stuart · 1802

Document

Primary source

Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom

Thomas Jefferson · written 1777, enacted 16 January 1786

Engraved print of a man with white powdered hair in an oval frame, wearing a dark coat and cravat, set against horizontal line hatching. Below: 'Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States of America', number 239, and 'J. Kay 1801' signature.Painting

Primary source

Thomas Jefferson Etching by John Kay, 1807

Gilbert Stuart · 1807

Engraved portrait print of Thomas Jefferson, a man with curly white hair in a dark coat, high white collar and lace jabot, shown on a page of a bound album. Caption below reads JEFFERSON, Dédié au Général Lafayette.Painting

Secondary source

Porträt Thomas Jefferson

Auguste Gaspard Louis Boucher Desnoyers

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Thomas Jefferson now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions