Thomas Jefferson's Book Donation to Library of Congress

By 1815, Thomas Jefferson had collected books across a vast spectrum of topics and languages, which eventually totaled 6,487 books, the largest private book collection in North America. He divided his Monticello library into such categories as Memory, Reason, and Imagination, which exemplified and spanned his multifaceted interests.

In 1800, President John Adams signed a bill transferring the seat of the U.S. government to Washington.  At that time, the Library of Congress was then established. The legislation described a library of "such books as may be necessary for the use of Congress." The initial collection of 740 books and 3 maps was housed in the new Capitol Building until August 1814, when invading British troops burned the building, destroying the small library.

President Thomas Jefferson, then retired and living at Monticello, offered his personal library as a replacement.  In January 1815, Congress appropriated $23,950 to purchase Jefferson's collection of 6,487 books, and thereby laid the foundation for a great national library. 

Facing a shortage of space in the Capitol building, and concerned about the safety of the collection after two disastrous fires, Congress approved the construction of a separate building for its Library.

The new "Congressional Library" was opened on November 1, 1897, and hailed as a glorious national monument.  In 1980, the building was named for Thomas Jefferson in honor of his role in the Library's history.  Between 1984 and 1997, the Thomas Jefferson Building was restored to its original 19th century splendor. It is located at 10 First Street SE, Washington, DC.

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