City (pop., 2000: 45,049), central Virginia, U.S. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge and settled in the 1730s, it grew as a tobacco-trading centre and later was noted as the home of Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe. In 1781 the British raided Charlottesville in hopes of capturing Jefferson and other leaders of the American Revolution. Sites of interest include Jefferson's home, Monticello; Monroe's home, Ash Lawn; and the University of Virginia