Re-establish the Library of Congress

In 1815 Thomas Jefferson sold his library of 6,500 books to the government to re-establish the Library of Congress.

Thomas Jefferson loved books. No subject seemed out of his purview. He collected a wide collection of books. While President he took a keen interest in the library of congress. Jefferson planned to offer his books to the public after his death.

Then in 1814, during the war of 1812, British troops burned the library of congress and its 3,000 books. Saddened at the loss, Jefferson offered to sell his collection to re-establish the library of congress. Congress agreed and bought his books in 1815, instantly doubling the original number of books. Still, Jefferson collected books, gathering another 1,600 books before his death a decade later.