Thomas Jefferson ranks among the most famous and most studied presidents, but few historical studies have focused on his scientific endeavors, particularly his work in natural history. By analyzing several of his writings, including the Notes on the State of Virginia and letters that pertained to mammoths and megalonyxes, this thesis explores the interrelationship between science and politics, especially in the context of nationalism. The emphasis Jefferson placed on the American incognitum—what would eventually be identified as the mastodon—reflected the emerging national consciousness of the future United States of America
","abstract_html":"<p>Thomas Jefferson ranks among the most famous and most studied presidents, but few historical studies have focused on his scientific endeavors, particularly his work in natural history. By analyzing several of his writings, including the <em>Notes on the State of Virginia</em> and letters that pertained to mammoths and megalonyxes, this thesis explores the interrelationship between science and politics, especially in the context of nationalism. The emphasis Jefferson placed on the American <em>incognitum</em>—what would eventually be identified as the mastodon—reflected the emerging national consciousness of the future United States of America</p>","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Cameron, Marlena B."],"institution":null,"degree_name":"History","degree_level":"Thesis","degree_discipline":"History and Geography","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Dr. Ilaria Scaglia","Dr. Daniel Van Kley","Ms. Katharine Cannella"],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2015,"date_issued":"2015-01-01T08:00:00Z","date_published":"2015-01-01T08:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-24T01:44:55Z","subjects":["Thomas Jefferson","American Incognitum","Mastodon","Mammoth","Megalonyx","American Revolution","Nationalism","History","United States History"],"languages":["English"],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://csuepress.columbusstate.edu/theses_dissertations/173","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor","label":"Contributor","values":["Dr. Ilaria Scaglia","Dr. Daniel Van Kley","Ms. Katharine Cannella"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Cameron, Marlena B."]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.available","label":"Dc Date Available","values":["2015-12-10T08:00:00Z"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["History and Geography"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Thesis"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["History"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Thomas Jefferson","American Incognitum","Mastodon","Mammoth","Megalonyx","American Revolution","Nationalism","History","United States History"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:language","label":"Dc Language","values":["English"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["https://csuepress.columbusstate.edu/theses_dissertations/173"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["Thomas Jefferson ranks among the most famous and most studied presidents, but few historical studies have focused on his scientific endeavors, particularly his work in natural history. By analyzing several of his writings, including the Notes on the State of Virginia and letters that pertained to mammoths and megalonyxes, this thesis explores the interrelationship between science and politics, especially in the context of nationalism. The emphasis Jefferson placed on the American incognitum—what would eventually be identified as the mastodon—reflected the emerging national consciousness of the future United States of America
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