About

As vice president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson presided over the Senate. To improve its procedures, he wrote A Manual of Parliamentary Practice. First published in 1801, Jefferson’s Manual has been the basis for the rules of Congress ever since. In 1812, a second edition of the Manual was published with Jefferson’s input, marking his final word on the book. Now, for the first time, Jefferson’s Manual of 1812 has been printed with all of Jefferson's additions, along with an introduction detailing the history of the text and the discovery of Jefferson’s revisions. This new edition includes Jefferson’s additions that serve as the basis for changes to the "House Rules and Manual," published by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2025. Join Author Brian Alexander as he discusses his groundbreaking research using Jefferson’s own writings for this historic Manual of Parliamentary Practice, in its definitive edition. Admission to this book talk is included with general admission to Poplar Forest.