Thomas Jefferson on classical education

"I am more indebted to my father for my classical education than for all the other luxuries his cares and affections placed within my reach."  -- Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson attended English school, as it was called, starting from the age of 5, and at age 9 went to a Latin school, where he studied Latin, Greek and French.

At the age of 15, he began studying with "a correct classical scholar" and at age 17 he started at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. After two years of a formal course of study, he began to read law with George Wythe. He did not earn a degree, even after many years of study there, and later advised his grandson not to be concerned with a degree, but with getting an education that would be useful to him.

Jefferson's education was tremendously useful to him. Among the founders, Thomas Jefferson was known as the most eloquent writer, and for this reason was drafted by John Adams to write the Declaration of Independence.

Source: The web site of Monticello.