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Related Resources at the Library

• Library of Congress Online Catalog
• THOMAS
• MINERVA Web Archiving and Preservation Project

Timeline: 1800-1831

1800

Act of April 24 appropriates $5,000 to establish Library of Congress

1801

First books and maps of Library placed in office of Secretary of Senate

1802

Act of January 26 provides for placement of Library in Capitol and appointment of librarian First Librarian of Congress, John J. Beckley, appointed

1805

Act of January 2 provides 300 copies of laws of United States and journals of Congress shall be placed in Library

1812

Justices of Supreme Court authorized to use Library

1814

British burn U.S. Capitol, destroying Library, including 174 law titles Thomas Jefferson offers to sell personal library, including 475 law titles, to replace destroyed collection

1815

Act of January 30 approves purchase of Jefferson’s library

1816

Senator Robert Goodloe Harper calls for separate law library   

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Last Updated: 05/22/2008