
Seen it?
Thomas Jefferson
Streaming on (US) ![]()
See all
The complex life of Thomas Jefferson, who wrote that "all men are created equal" yet owned slaves, is recounted by master filmmaker Ken Burns in this probing documentary. Covering Jefferson's diplomatic work in France, his two presidential terms, his retirement at Monticello and more.
Highest-rated episodes all ranked
- 01
Part 1Jefferson also made himself into a true renaissance man – a scholar, a philosopher, a diplomat, an aesthete, and an architect. As a young man, he was transformed by the fire of the Enlightenment into America’s most articulate voice for human liberty. - 02
Part 2Jefferson’s last years were spent founding the University of Virginia and reestablishing his friendship, after decades of estrangement, from his onetime rival John Adams. His influence on and vision for our country reverberates to this day.
Cast
Episodes by season
Season01
- S01E01
Part 1February 18, 1997Jefferson also made himself into a true renaissance man – a scholar, a philosopher, a diplomat, an aesthete, and an architect. As a young ma - S01E02
Part 2February 19, 1997Jefferson’s last years were spent founding the University of Virginia and reestablishing his friendship, after decades of estrangement, from
Keep exploring top shows
ShortcutThe essential episodes
Short on time? The pilot-to-finale shortcut, only the episodes that matter.
MatchupCompare with another showTwo shows' episode ratings on one chart — settle it.
NetworkBest PBS showsMore from the same network, ranked by rating.
GenreBest documentary shows & filmsThe top of the documentary pile, across both mediums.






