Reed: Yes, we can overcome racial barriers Dec 30, 2008
Editor's note: Annette Gordon-Reed won the 2008 National Book Award for "," a book the award judges said, "is more than the story of Thomas Jefferson and his house slave Sally Hemings; it is a deeply moral and keenly intelligent probe of the harsh yet all-too-human world they inhabited and the bloodline they share." She is a law professor at New York Law School and a history professor at Rutgers University, and editor of "Race on Trial: Law and Justice in American History." ... Back in 1997,... (CNN -- US)
Getting the goods - nonfiction Dec 7, 2008
It builds on Gordon-Reed's groundbreaking 1997 "Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings" and makes impressive use of recent research and DNA analyses. Perhaps most significantly, Gordon-Reed, a New York law professor, gives the Hemings family a history of their own while using their story to explore the complexity of America's "peculiar institution" for masters and slaves, whose lives were often intimately intertwined. (Boston Globe)
Perfect Gift: Best Books Of 2008 Dec 3, 2008
You may think you know about Sally Hemings (the slave at Monticello who Thomas Jefferson had children with), but this book tells the story at a time in which we have a new awareness of race, a new image of the "American family.". (Excerpted from The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family by Annette Gordon-Reed. (CBS News)
Gordon-Reed, Matthiessen win national book prizes Nov 21, 2008
She is the author of a previous book about the slave woman with whom Jefferson is believed to have fathered a child, "Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings: An American Controversy.". The annual award for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters was given to novelist Maxine Hong Kingston. (Boston Globe)
A student of history who likes to look forward, too Nov 21, 2008
She would rather talk about Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings, and the relationship between liberty and slavery in the days of the Founding Fathers and their hidden children. She would rather talk about her colleagues at Rutgers-Newark and New York Law School, and the enthusiastic teachers she had along the way. (NJ.com -- News)
Jefferson's hidden slave legacy Oct 27, 2008
Present in the room at the moment of her death, with Jefferson himself, was Martha's half sister, a young slave girl called Sally Hemings. She was the daughter of Martha's own father and a slave called Elizabeth. (BBC News -- Americas)
Page turners Oct 13, 2008
An epic saga of the Hemings family, whose bloodline has been mixed with that of Thomas Jefferson since our third president took slave Sally Hemings as a mistress. "Acedia and Me: A Marriage, Monks and a Writer's Wife" by Kathleen Norris (Riverhead). (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
Campaign '08: Let mudslinging begin Oct 13, 2008
Swint, in an article for mental floss magazine, details a rift between lifelong friends John Adams and Thomas Jefferson during the campaign, in which "Adams was labeled a fool, a hypocrite, a criminal, and a tyrant, while Jefferson was branded a weakling, an atheist, a libertine, and a coward." According to Swint, Jefferson went so far as to hire a character assassin named James Callendar - which worked out well in the election, but later came back to haunt him when Callendar revealed... (The Delaware County Times, PA)
Dig In To Presidential Trivia Oct 11, 2008
Scientists and historians agree, based on DNA evidence, that Jefferson probably fathered at least one child with slave Sally Hemings. 3. (Click2Houston, TX)
New & Recommended Oct 5, 2008
The Hemingses of MonticelloBy Annette Gordon-ReedA family history concentrating on Thomas Jefferson and the children he had with Sally Hemings, his slave. (Norton, $35). (Boston Globe)
Book review: 'The Hemingses of Monticello' Oct 4, 2008
If freed, he believed, they should be sent to Africa; otherwise, abolition would result in racial warfare or, even worse, racial "mixture." Yet in his own lifetime, reports circulated that Jefferson practiced such mixture with his slave Sally Hemings. In 1997, Annette Gordon-Reed, who teaches at New York Law School and in the history department of Rutgers University, published "Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings: An American Controversy." Reviewing the evidence, she concluded it was likely that... (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
When Thomas Jefferson Took Sally Hemings to Paris Sep 23, 2008
Sally Hemings in Paris ... In this excerpt of "The Hemingses of Monticello,"author Sally Hemings and her brother, the chef James Hemings, enjoyed the cosmopolitan lifestyle of Paris in the 1770s while living with Thomas Jefferson during his stint as Ambassador to France ... Sept. 22, 2008--The home that Sally Hemings moved to was just inside the city limits of Paris. (Slate)
Jefferson's Other Family Sep 23, 2008
When DNA evidence corroborated the long-standing rumor of a relationship between Thomas Jefferson and his slave Sally Hemings, the news made headlines around the world. It should not have. (Slate)
Telling the truth at Monticello amid the droll delights Sep 21, 2008
He has made Monticello pro-active on the problem of slavery and even Sally Hemings ... On our tour the other day, our docent, a white Southern woman in her late 50s, introduced the subject of Sally Hemings in the dining room ... Recent DNA tests, she reported, have led the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation to conclude that Jefferson was the father of at least one of Sally Hemings' children. (Bismarck Tribune, ND)
PAPER: Five Reasons Why She Should Appear... Sep 6, 2008
Oprah: Five Reasons Why Palin Should Appear (The TV Zone). Powered by Hosted by. (The Drudge Report)
Did you hear Gov. Sarah Palin? What do you think? Sep 5, 2008
That distinction goes to Sally Hemings. I believe that administration turned out alright. (Columbus Telegram, NE)
MARY C. CURTIS: Scandal plays out, then we move on Aug 12, 2008
But if you're feeling guilty for taking interest in the rise and fall of a golden career, remember it has always been so, since tabloid rumors of Thomas Jefferson's relationship with his slave Sally Hemings intruded upon another presidential contest. No doubt voters hung on every word. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Eugene Foster; arranged tests of Jefferson DNA Jul 27, 2008
LOS ANGELES - Dr. Eugene Foster, the retired pathologist who orchestrated the DNA testing that showed that Thomas Jefferson fathered at least one of Sally Hemings's children, died Monday at University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, according to his son-in-law Brian Pusser ... In 2000, the Thomas Jefferson Association, which operates Monticello, concluded that "although paternity cannot be established with absolute certainty, our evaluation of the best evidence available suggests... (Boston Globe)
Pathologist linked Jefferson to Sally Hemings Jul 25, 2008
Dr. Eugene Foster, the retired pathologist who orchestrated the DNA testing that showed that fathered at least one of the slave Sally Hemings' children, died Monday at the Medical Center in , according to his son-in-law Brian Pusser ... Dr. Foster and Bennett tracked down four male lineages to test: Jefferson's lineage, descended from his paternal grandfather because Jefferson himself had no acknowledged male heirs; the lineages of Thomas Woodson and Eston Hemings Jefferson, Sally Hemings'... (Chicago Tribune)
A Jefferson for Obama Jun 13, 2008
A hornet's nest was stirred up recently by my public endorsement of Obama as our next president and then again with my recognition during a speech at University of Virginia of the cousins in my family who are descendants of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings. (As a member of the Jefferson family at large, I said I am very happy that the family as I've known it grew to include so many new members as a result of the DNA testing in 1998. (Fort Madison Daily Democrat, IO)
Old scandals need a new protocol Mar 18, 2008
Thomas Jefferson was suspected of prolific womanizing, and was believed to have fathered at least one of the six children born to Sally Hemings, a slave in his household. Jefferson, for his part, accused political rival John Adams of sending an emissary to England to return with not just one mistress, but four. (Boulder Colorado Daily, CO)
The Dilemma of the Third Leg: Stop the Agitator Now! Mar 2, 2008
Sally Hemings: This former slave must have been irresistible to Thomas Jefferson, one of Americas founding fathers. Although highly regarded as a major brain behind the insurrection that threw out the British taskmasters, Jefferson was simply willing to risk everything political goodwill and social status to make sure his third leg regularly savored more than one meal. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Thomas Jefferson's last years topic of new book Feb 12, 2008
Much of America s recent interest in Jefferson has to do with the possibility that he fathered children with one of his slaves, Sally Hemings. Such rumors swirled about even during Jefferson s lifetime, but he apparently never spoke or wrote about it. (Coos Bay-North Bend The World, OR)
Mr. Jefferson Comes Home Jan 8, 2008
For instance, he concedes that the preponderance of evidence suggests that Jefferson fathered children by Sally Hemings, and his depiction of life at Monticello is neither Arcadian nor na ve. I set out to prove Jefferson didn t do it, Crawford tells me of the conjugations with Sally Hemings, just to be ornery or at least to challenge what has become the conventional wisdom on the matter. (The American Conservative)
John A. Garraty; told the story of America through biography Dec 28, 2007
The dictionary's entry on Thomas Jefferson, for instance, dismissed his affair with his slave Sally Hemings as "slander," while the entry on Hemings in Mr. Garraty's work says that there is no "conclusive evidence to prove or refute" an affair. (That was written before DNA tests on Jefferson's and Hemings' living relatives indicated a genetic link between the families. (Boston Globe)
A deeply undemocratic Jefferson Dec 24, 2007
It is serious, meticulous, and well written (save for some needless repetition), and it will significantly tarnish Thomas Jefferson's already sullied reputation as the father of at least several children by his slave Sally Hemings ... His relationship with Sally Hemings has received abundant attention during the past decade, especially after DNA evidence demonstrated conclusively that Jefferson had fathered at least some if not all of Sally's children ... Although the author deems his subject... (Boston Globe)
Discover how the past is relevant to the present Dec 20, 2007
Without pounding the PC tom-toms, Kukla presents Jefferson's sexual relationship with slave Sally Hemings as an expression of his desire to control women. House of Abraham: Lincoln & the Todds, a Family Divided by War By Stephen Berry; Houghton Mifflin, 255 pp. (USA Today -- Life)
Seven people caught in the crossfire Dec 11, 2007
David Works, 51, a descendant of Thomas Jefferson, was an early champion of recognizing the descendants of Sally Hemings, the president's house slave and alleged lover, as members of the Jefferson family, his friend and cousin said. Works attended a reunion of white descendants of Jefferson and descendants of slaves and others. (USA Today)
Gloom-and-Doomers Wrong on U.S. "Moral Collapse" Nov 28, 2007
Of course, such uncritical adulation of the past must look beyond the highly questionable sexual adventures of many of the most prominent Founding Fathers, including Franklin (an illegitimate son in New Jersey, and numerous romantic conquests during his missions to France), Jefferson (a deep love affair with a beautiful married woman and probable long-term relations with his own teenaged slave, Sally Hemings), Hamilton (a torrid affair with a married woman, while paying blackmail to her husband)... (Townhall.com)
Local Author to sign new book "Black Men Built The Capitol" at Ida B. Wells Museum in Holly Springs Nov 17, 2007
James Hemings, a former slave of Thomas Jefferson and the brother of Jefferson mistress Sally Hemings, was recruited by Jefferson to become the head chef at the White House once the Virginian won the presidency but refused the job. - An African American engineer, Archibald Alexander, is responsible for the construction of the Tidal Basin seawall and the Tidal Basin bridge on the National Mall. (Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal)
Kashef: Genetic Drift Nov 16, 2007
In a famous case, the descendants of Sally Hemings, who as a slave had a relationship and son with Thomas Jefferson, used DNA testing to prove they were indeed related to the Founding Father, despite denials from Jefferson's white descendants. More recently, media mogul Oprah Winfrey declared that a DNA test had shown that she was Zulu. (Zmag.org)
BOOK REVIEW: 'Infamous Scribblers: The Founding FathersAnd The Rowdy Beginnings of American Journalism', By Eric Burns Oct 10, 2007
Jefferson, whom Burns names as the most talented spin master on the press of his day and also Hamilton s bitter rival, later had his love affair with one of his slaves, Sally Hemings, exposed in print by the Recorder. It is well known that the man, whom it delighteth the people to honor, James T. Callender wrote of Jefferson, and from many years past has kept, as his concubine one of his slaves. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Reconstructing The Family Tree Oct 8, 2007
It was the "Y" chromosome that allowed family members of Sally Hemings to prove they descended from Thomas Jefferson, or at least from one of his male relatives. Now if you want to find out about your ancestry, there are at least a dozen different companies offering to analyze DNA for prices ranging from $100 to $400 a test. (CBS News -- 60 minutes)
Being Thomas Jefferson Oct 7, 2007
He is often asked about one of the most controversial aspects of Jefferson's life -- his alleged relationship with his slave, Sally Hemings ... "When I do a show about it there's very little I can say one way or the other about Sally Hemings because what I'm doing is what Jefferson would say about a particular issue.". (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
William Goldman, Scott Frank, Stuart Beattie Added to Screenwriting Expo 6 Lineup, Oct. 25-28 at LAX Area Hotels Oct 4, 2007
The just-announced names are added to a Guest of Honor list already consisting of star Hollywood screenwriters such as Michael Goldenberg (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix), Academy Award nominated Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio (Pirates of the Caribbean movies, Shrek), Bill Lawrence (Scrubs), Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman (Transformers, Mission Impossible III), Tina Andrews (Sally Hemings: An American Scandal), Academy Award winner Steven Zaillian (Schindler's List, American Gangster)... (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Seeing slavery's role in history Sep 30, 2007
Tour guides discuss Jefferson's slave ownership, along with the belief that he fathered one or more children born to Sally Hemings, a house slave. So far, though, the only depiction of slave life at Monticello is the restored cook's quarters, a comfortably furnished 10-by-14-foot room next to the home's expansive kitchen. (Los Angeles Times)
At Mount Vernon, lives of Washington's slaves become real Sep 23, 2007
Monticello restored the cook's room next to Thomas Jefferson's kitchen in 2001 and is considering building a slave cabin; tour guides routinely discuss Jefferson's alleged paramour, Sally Hemings, who was a slave. Washington inherited his first slaves when he was 11, records show. (Boston Globe)
Students raise concerns over cartoons Sep 7, 2007
Text below the image read "Ethiopian Food Fight." The students also protested Woolard's comic strip published Friday depicting Thomas Jefferson's slave Sally Hemings sitting on a bed while Jefferson stands near her with a whip in his hand. The text read "Thomas, could we try role-play for a change?". (The Cavalier Daily, VA)
America LoveSexDeath Sep 7, 2007
As he addresses everything from JFK Jr.'s death to Thomas Jefferson's affair with Sally Hemings, it's clear that Billy isn't being provocative just for its own sake. By turning our shared, painful history into this kind of art, he's asking us to evaluate what his subjects mean to us. (Variety)
Maybe Mime Can Heal All Wounds Sep 7, 2007
This is not a show for youngsters - particularly those explicit bits depicting Thomas Jefferson's trysts with Sally Hemings and Jeffrey Dahmer's dining on houseguests. This performer has a gift for telling visual details. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
Court: Filly can't be named after Jefferson slave Aug 8, 2007
Court: Man can't name filly 'Sally Hemings ... -- A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that a filly can't be named "Sally Hemings" after Thomas Jefferson's most famous slave and reputed lover ... "In short, because he has spent three years insisting he has a constitutional right to name his horse 'Sally Hemings' and that no other name will do, Mr. Redmond now finds himself, like the songster of the 70s, having 'been through the desert on a horse with no name,"' Batchelder wrote. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Link sought to a Founding Father Jul 22, 2007
Kearse's comments are similar to those made by descendants of Sally Hemings, a slave owned by Thomas Jefferson who they believe bore his child. But the historical implications are different for Madison, who never had children with his wife, Dolley. (Boston Globe -- Local)
Thomas Jefferson Sex Shocker May 12, 2007
Saturday, May 12, 2007 Last Update: 09:10 AM EDT. ROD'S WEDDING BELLS RINGING. (New York Post -- Gossip)
A wider view of Tommy and Sally Apr 19, 2007
In seeking to disparage the legacy of Mr. Jefferson, the team from Hamilton College harped on the alleged relations of our illustrious founder with his slave, Sally Hemings ... While Sally Hemings ought not be left out, her memory should accompany these achievements, not eclipse them. (The Cavalier Daily, VA)
Could USA presidential DNA trail reveal Middle-Eastern origins? Mar 29, 2007
Almost 10 years ago, the University of Leicester team, led by Professor Mark Jobling, together with international collaborators, showed that Thomas Jefferson had fathered at least one of the sons of Sally Hemings, a slave of Jeffersons. The work was done using the Y chromosome, a male-specific part of our DNA that passes down from father to son. (EurekAlert!)
Was a Jefferson ancestor Jewish? -- genetic puzzle Mar 1, 2007
Was a Jefferson ancestor Jewish. -- genetic puzzle / Researchers find that his Y chromosome belongs to line common in Middle East. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Jefferson VinDicated? Feb 28, 2007
Researchers investigate the scientific basis of allegations linking Thomas Jefferson to the children of his slave Sally Hemings ... Allegations of a possible relationship between Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings are rooted in a centuries-old rumor first spread in 1802 by James T. Callendar, a journalist who had been turned down by Jefferson for a political appointment ... The Sally Hemings controversy erupted in 1998, when a DNA test conducted by Dr. Eugene Foster explored the paternity... (The Cavalier Daily, VA)
Roundup: Historical fiction Feb 8, 2007
It focuses on the lives of Abigail Adams, Martha Washington, Dolley Madison and Sally Hemings ... A glimpse into the ficitionalzed lives of Abigail Adams, Martha Washington, Dolley Madison and Sally Hemings. (USA Today -- Life)
DNA clue to presidential puzzle Feb 7, 2007
----------------- ----------------- RELATED BBC SITES. Last Updated: Tuesday, 6 February 2007, 19:18 GMT. (BBC News -- Science)
More coverage Feb 3, 2007
-- A Washington resident says she's the great-great-great-granddaughter of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings. 2000 Black History Month articles. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
