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

Last Updated: 07/18/2012