The Original Library of Congress

The national library here in the US, the Library of Congress, was founded with the purchase of the 6,487 volume library of Thomas Jefferson. This initial purchase was the nucleus of the collection, and was itself a special part of the collection. However, two thirds of the original Jefferson books were lost in a fire on Christmas Eve of 1851. 55,000 volumes, including the two thirds of Jefferson’s library were lost in that fire.

In preparation for the bicentennial celebrations of the Library in 2000, the Librarian of Congress and the Rare Books Librarian worked together to restore as much as was possible the original library of Thomas Jefferson. They did this through purchases, gifts, and copyright deposits. I think this is a wonderful way to honor the legacy of Jefferson, as well as to raise awareness about our national library and its history. Also, what an interesting task, to find copies of the original volumes in Jefferson’s collection.

- Jason Dean