Framing a Legend: Exposing the Distorted History of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings

By M. Andrew Holowchak

A penetrating critical perspective on the question of Thomas Jefferson's paternity that will make you rethink recent conventional wisdom.It is accepted by most scholars that Jefferson had a lengthy affair with his slave Sally Hemings and fathered at least one of her children, a conclusion based on a 1998 DNA study published in Nature and on the work of historian Annette Gordon-Reed. Framing a Legend argues compellingly that the DNA evidence is inconclusive and that there are remarkable flaws in the leading historical scholarship purporting to show such a liaison.Author M. AndrewHolowchakcritically examines well-known books by Fawn Brodie, Annette Gordon-Reed, and Andrew Burstein, labeling their views as "three prominent spins." He thendelves into what we know about Thomas Jefferson's character, showing that the historical facts do not suggest any romantic interest on Jefferson's part in his female slaves. Turning to the genetic evidence, Holowchak points out that, though DNA analysis indicates the presence of a Y-chromosome from some Jefferson male in the Hemings family line, it is unwarranted to conclude that this must have come from Thomas Jefferson. Finally, he discusses Jefferson's racial attitudes and says that they argue against any liaison with Sally Hemings.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1616147296
• ISBN13: 9781616147297
• Release Date: April 2013
• Publisher: Prometheus Books
• Length: 275 Pages
• Weight: 1.14 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.3" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Exposing the myth

If you’ve been sucked in (as I was) by the Fawn Brodie and Gordon-Reed books on the Jefferson/Hemings affair, I highly recommend you read this book. You will learn that, despite the beliefs of today, there is no proof that Jefferson fathered any of the Hemings children and to do do so would have been completely out of character for Jefferson. No doubt a Jefferson did father at least one of those children, but it wasn’t Thomas. In a time where the norm is to tear down and recreate history, this book will bring back common sense.