The Institute for the Study of the Americas recently conducted a survey of U.S. presidents:
Through the agency of its United States Presidency Centre [USPC], the Institute for the Study of the Americas (located in the University of London’s School of Advanced Study) has undertaken the first ever UK academic survey to rate US presidents. This polled the opinion of UK specialists in US history and political studies to assess presidential performance and produced an overall rating on the basis of the responses. They also gave an interim assessment of Barack Obama but his unfinished presidency was not included in the survey.
Compare these rankings*, particularly of the Early Republic presidents, to the ones I posted about last July:
Siena ISA
4. George Washington 3. Washington
5. Thomas Jefferson 4. Jefferson
6. James Madison 9. Jackson
7. James Monroe 12. J. Adams
12. James K. Polk 13. Monroe
14. Andrew Jackson 14. Madison
17. John Adams 16. Polk
19. John Quincy Adams 20. J.Q. Adams
23. Martin Van Buren 27. Van Buren
33. Zachary Taylor 33. Taylor
35. William Henry Harrison 35. Fillmore
37. John Tyler 37. Tyler
38. Millard Fillmore 39. Pierce
40. Franklin Pierce 40. Buchanan
43. James Buchanan
I find it interesting that Jackson and the elder Adams are rated higher in the ISA survey. The rest of the rankings of the Early Republic presidents are very similar.
* Unlike the Siena survey, the ISA survey did not evaluate William Henry Harrison, James Garfield, or Barack Obama.
Nate is correct–this isn’t the post in which to argue the Jefferson-Hemings case. There are other posts more appropriate.
Closing comments.
As a historian I would like to bring it to your attention that there is no proof of Thomas Jefferson fathering the Sally Hemings children. Monticello and some of their associates, Annette Gordon-Reed, Prof. Peter Onuf and others are WRONG and have a major agenda.
I assisted Dr Foster with the DNA study and I have all inside information on this. Please consult the two mentioned web pages for the truth.
Herb Barger
Founder, Thomas Jefferson Heritage Society
Herbert,
Thanks for your comment.
I think the preponderance of the evidence makes it clear that Jefferson was most likely the father of Hemings’ children.
Mark,
I also got a comment Mr. Barger today re: Jefferson’s illegitimate children. The odd thing (or not so odd, I suppose), was the the comment was left on a post I wrote that had absolutely nothing to do with Jefferson, Hemmings, or children born out of wedlock.
Seems like an odd (and Sisyphean) task Mr. Barger is embarking on to spread his perspective.