Episode 52: Thomas Jefferson [The Virginians, Part 2]

01/22/20 • 88 min

In this episode, Jay and Luke examine Thomas Jefferson, one of the most puzzling of the Founders. Simultaneously the rhetorician of American equality and a lover of the trappings of aristocracy, Jefferson remains a hard man to pin down. Jay and Luke trace his career from the Declaration of Independence through his founding of the University of Virginia, and try to understand how he aspired to create what he called “an Empire of Liberty.”

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Episode 51: George Washington [The Virginians, Part 1]

In this episode, Jay and Luke look at the life and political career of George Washington, with a particular emphasis on how his experience during the Revolutionary War created in him a strong belief in the need for a strong national government. As president, Washington’s prudence and fairness were essential to securing the constitutional experiment in republican government.

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Episode 53: James Madison [The Virginians, Part 3]

In this episode, Jay and Luke discuss James Madison, often hailed as the Father of the Constitution. Madison’s life remains a bit of a puzzle, as he transitioned from being a strong Federalist in the 1780s to a leading Republican in the 1790s. Jay and Luke try to make sense of this by outlining Madison’s strong commitment to enduring republican principles.