# Jefferson — The New Freedom character guide

> Jefferson in The New Freedom by Woodrow Wilson.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Mr. Jefferson

**First appearance:** 0005-iii-freemen-need-no-guardians

## Who they are

Founding father invoked as a champion of democracy and liberty.

## In the story

### [What Is Progress?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_freedom_se/chapters/ii-what-is-progress)

Mentioned as one of the Founders who wrote of 'the laws of Nature' and 'Nature's God,' reflecting the Newtonian influence on the Constitution.

### [III: Freemen Need No Guardians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_freedom_se/chapters/iii-freemen-need-no-guardians)

Contrasted with Hamilton; Wilson's democratic theory aligns with Jeffersonian faith in the common man.

### [VII: The Tariff—'Protection,' or Special Privilege?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_freedom_se/chapters/vii-the-tariff-protection-or-special-privilege)

Not directly referenced in the excerpts; included as a placeholder only if contextually implied—omitted here.

### [IX: Benevolence, or Justice?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_freedom_se/chapters/ix-benevolence-or-justice)

Not explicitly mentioned in excerpts; no direct reference found.

### [XII: The Liberation of a People’s Vital Energies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_freedom_se/chapters/xii-the-liberation-of-a-people-s-vital-energies)

Wilson invokes Jefferson's maxim that the best government governs least, but argues that Jefferson would today see the need for active government to free individuals from the grip of powerful institutions.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_freedom_se/characters/jefferson
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_freedom_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_freedom_se/characters