Timeline: 1832-1870
1832
Act of July 14 creates separate “Law Department” of Library of Congress, establishing Law Library of Congress
Law Library moves into separate room in Capitol Building adjacent to Main Library
1833
Charles Henry Wharton Meehan appointed as “assistant at law,” becoming first Law Librarian of Congress
1839
First separate catalog of law books printed
1842
Law Library moved to the Capitol Building’s ground floor across from the Supreme Court Chamber
1848
Following U.S.-Mexican War, library authorized to purchase all constitutions and laws of Mexico
1851
Second fire in Capitol destroys two-thirds of books of Library of Congress; law collection is unscathed
1860
Supreme Court moves to former Senate Chamber; Law Library moves to former Supreme Court Chamber
1870
Act of July 8 centralizes all U.S. copyright registration and deposit activities at Library of Congress
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Last Updated: 04/04/2011
