Daniel P. Jordan, the president of the foundation that owns Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s plantation in Virginia, passed away on March 21 at the age of 85. Jordan’s tenure at Monticello was marked by significant developments, including a groundbreaking study that confirmed Jefferson’s likely paternity of six children with Sally Hemings, one of the hundreds of people he enslaved.
The news of Jordan’s passing has sparked reflections on his legacy and the impact he had on Monticello. His daughter, Katherine Jordan, confirmed that he died of a heart attack in Charlottesville, Va.
Questions surrounding Jefferson’s relationship with Hemings had lingered for centuries, but it was Jordan who commissioned a study that ultimately supported the long-held belief that Jefferson fathered Hemings’s children. Despite initial hesitancy, Jordan embraced the DNA results that pointed to Jefferson’s paternity.
Annette Gordon-Reed, a prominent historian, praised Jordan for his handling of the sensitive issue, noting that he could have easily avoided confronting the findings. Instead, Jordan accepted the evidence and expanded Monticello’s educational mission during his 23-year tenure.
Born in Mississippi in 1938, Jordan’s academic pursuits led him to a Ph.D. in history from the University of Virginia, where he later served as the foundation’s executive director and eventually president. Under his leadership, Monticello saw significant growth, including the establishment of the Jefferson Library and the Center for Historic Plants.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Jordan’s personal connection to Monticello was evident in his family’s ties to the estate. His daughters were married on the grounds, and he and his family resided in a modern house nearby.
As tributes pour in for Daniel P. Jordan, his impact on Monticello and the broader historical narrative of Thomas Jefferson’s legacy is undeniable. His commitment to education and historical preservation leaves a lasting legacy at one of America’s most iconic landmarks.
