Have you ever heard that Thomas Jefferson, founding father and third president of the United States, died of rhubarb poisoning?!? Well I have! I don’t remember when I first heard it but it has come up enough that I felt the need to look into it.

Jefferson’s Love for Rhubarb

The story goes that Jefferson, known for his passion for gardening, grew rhubarb at his Monticello estate and found the leaves to be “excellent as spinach.” Now, anyone who knows their rhubarb facts will tell you that while the stalks make for delicious pies, jams and WINE, the leaves are a different story. They contain oxalic acid, which can be toxic in large amounts. It’s true that during times of hardship, like during World War I, some people ate rhubarb leaves and suffered toxic effects.

So did Jefferson each SO much rhubarb like spinach that it killed him?!?

It doesn’t look like it: there’s no historical evidence suggesting that Jefferson’s love of rhubarb leaves had anything to do with his death. Jefferson passed away on July 4, 1826, at the age of 83, (the same day as his fellow Founding Father John Adams #funfact).

After a long, eventful, and complicated life, his death is more commonly attributed to a combination of ailments typical for his age, like rheumatism, intestinal issues, and kidney disorders—none of which have been definitively linked to rhubarb.

Jefferson’s Legacy as a ‘Seed Missionary’

Jefferson meticulously documented his gardening activities at Monticello, including his efforts to cultivate various types of plants, both common and exotic. Among them was Rheum undulatum, which he called “esculent rhubarb”

Jefferson’s gardening notes reflect his enthusiasm for exploring new crops. He even shared seeds and gardening tips with fellow horticulturists, making him an early advocate for agricultural diversity in the United States. Monticello’s gardens were a reflection of this passion, filled with plants from around the world, carefully nurtured and grown on Virginia soil.

His interest in agriculture helped shape the future of American farming, and his passion for trying new things—even unconventional ones like rhubarb—set him apart as a true Renaissance man.

Jefferson’s legacy is complex. As I read The Fruit and Fruit Trees of Monticello, I’m struck by his forward-thinking approach to cultivating native fruits and vegetables. His passion for horticulture, vision as a "seed missionary," and talent as a garden landscape artist are truly impressive. Yet, Jefferson’s life reminds us that historical figures can embody both visionary ideals and deep moral failings. To fully appreciate his contributions, we must confront both the positive and negative aspects of his legacy.

Recreating the Gardens at Monticello

Since 1982 Jefferson's fruit plantings, his orchards, vineyards, berry squares, and nursery, have been gradually and painstakingly re-created at Monticello. Today his gardens have been re-created by the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation. They look epic and are on my short list of places to check out.

While it seems clear that Jefferson didn’t die from rhubarb poisoning, his remarkable passion for gardening and enthusiasm for experimenting with new plants—including rhubarb—leave an enduring legacy. His work at Monticello as a “seed missionary” showcases his forward-thinking approach to agriculture and his deep appreciation for the natural world. Jefferson’s love for cultivating unique fruits and vegetables, even centuries later, is a testament to his lasting influence on American gardening and food culture.

“If you should have any plants to spare of what you deem excellent pears, peaches, or grapes, they will then be most acceptable indeed, and I shall be able to carry & plant them myself according to my own natural inclinations, which have been so long kept down by the history of our times.”

— Jefferson to Timothy Matlack, October 19, 1807

Did Thomas Jefferson Die from Eating Rhubarb?