U.S. President Thomas Jefferson could read each of the languages listed except which one?

Linguistics played a significant role in how Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) modeled and expressed political and philosophical ideas. He believed that the study of ancient languages was essential in understanding the roots of modern languages.

In addition to English he could read in French, Italian, and Latin, and classical Greek. It is documented in the archival history of his early life, that he excelled in classical languages while at boarding school where he received a classical education in Greek and Latin. He later came to regard the classical Greek language as the “perfect language” as expressed in its laws and philosophy.

While attending the College of William & Mary, he taught himself Italian. In college, he also became familiar with the Anglo-Saxon language, especially as it was associated with English Common Law and system of government. He owned 17 volumes of Anglo-Saxon texts and grammar and later wrote an essay on the Anglo-Saxon language.

He wrote in an 1817 letter to Joseph Delaplaine, “I read Greek, Latin, French, Italian, Spanish and English of course, with something of its radix (root) the Anglo-Saxon.”

Jefferson claimed to have taught himself Spanish during his 19 day journey to France, using only a grammar guide and a copy of the novel ‘Don Quixote’ by Miguel de Cervantes.

Thomas Jefferson was an American statesman, diplomat, lawyer, architect, philosopher, and Founding Father who served as the third president of the U.S. from 1791 to 1809.