Rob Coles was born within a few miles of Monticello almost exactly 200 years after the birth of his fifth great-grandfather, THOMAS JEFFERSON. That is only the beginning of the most extraordinary similarities between Jefferson and his fifth great-grandson.
Both grew up on sprawling Virginia farms where they both became expert outdoorsmen. Books and reading became the passion for each. To make their resemblance positively haunting, Rob also has Jefferson's profile, red hair and freckles. Rob is also the same six feet, two inches tall.
From Albemarle County, Virginia, where Jefferson was born 257 years ago, the line of descent is as follows: Jefferson's only son died in infancy. His daughter Martha married Thomas Randolph. The name Randolph continued 100 years until a surviving daughter married a Rafferty. In 1951, a Rafferty daughter married a Coles, a direct descendant of Edward Coles, friend to Jefferson, President James Madison's personal secretary, and the second Governor of Illinois. Their son was born 49 years ago in Albemarle County, Virginia.
Today, Rob has the honor of portraying his famous great-grandfather with dignity and distinction. His personal appearances as "Mr. Jefferson" around the country and internationally significantly celebrate our Nation's heritage and bring to life our most enigmatic founding father.
