Last Sunday, William Barker, who portrays Thomas Jefferson in Williamsburg, Va., visited Elon University Sunday to discuss Jefferson’s role in drafting the Declaration of Independence. Barker’s strong connection to Jefferson and what he stands for was evident throughout his performance.
Barker’s performance in Elon’s McCrary Theatre attracted many citizens from the surrounding areas, Elon and high school students and members of Life at Elon, a community of senior citizens. Many people involved with Life at Elon, a community of senior citizens, were in attendance.
“We have seen Mr. Barker several times in Williamsburg,” said Jerry Cooper, a Graham resident and audience member. “I’ve always been very impressed in his abilities.”
Barker never broke character. From the moment he entered the theater to the end of his performance, he mimicked the proud way Jefferson would have carried himself and spoke with a certain tone of importance.
Barker was prepared to answer any questions from the audience, from Jefferson’s conflicting feelings about owning slaves to his favorite type of wine. Throughout his performance, Barker encouraged audience participation and audience members happily obliged as they explored their own knowledge of America’s history.
Jefferson, the third president of the United States and the writer of the nation’s founding document, is still a relevant historical figure for society today.
Barker discussed where the ideas in the Declaration of Independence originated. He said none of the ideas were new. They were taken from Aristotle, John Locke, Cicero, Algernon Sydney and other influential political philosophers.
One point Barker was particularly interested in was Jefferson’s stance on slavery.
“[Jefferson] is also commenting distinctly on the property of human bondage,” Barker said in an online interview with history.org. “That is slaves — one’s fellow man to be used as an element of property. And he is opening the doors very subtly toward abolition.”
Barker’s website is very comprehensive and displays his knowledge, interest and respect for Jefferson. Since Barker was a boy, his curiosity about Jefferson was strong, he said.
Now, Barker portrays one of the country’s fo
unding fathers in communities across the country. At 60 years old, he has been performing as Jefferson for more than 30 years. His experience is evident in his comfort on stage.
Barker’s first appearance as Jefferson was at Independence Hall in Philadelphia in 1984. Nine years later, in the spring of 1993, he went to Williamsburg to play Jefferson in a movie.
Since then, he has performed for corporate and government offices. Barker has appeared as Jefferson on popular television networks and has received praise from various newspapers and community reports.
Barker visited classes and members of Life at Elon early in the week to discuss his interest in Jefferson.
While no person today has ever met the nation’s former president, Barker offers a small window into which curious minds can peek.
“I wanted to see it because Thomas Jefferson is one of our forefathers,” said junior Lauren Reiman. “I thought this was a fun and creative way to learn more about him.”