Thomas Jefferson is most famously remembered as one of America's primary Founding Fathers and the third president of the United States. His most enduring contribution to the nation is his role as the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, a document that articulated the colonies' desire for sovereignty. Beyond his presidency, he is celebrated as a "Renaissance Man" who possessed diverse talents; he was a skilled diplomat, architect, lawyer, and philosopher. Jefferson designed his own home, the famous Monticello estate in Virginia, and founded the University of Virginia in 1819. He was also a prolific inventor, credited with creating the revolving chair, an improved iron plow, and various household labor-saving devices. Additionally, his political legacy includes drafting the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom and authorizing the historic Louisiana Purchase, which significantly expanded the territorial size of the United States.