Books Quote by Jon Meacham
““In the wake of the British army’s burning of the roughly 3,000 books belonging to Congress at Washington, Jefferson offered to sell the nation his own collection.42 There were 6,487 volumes in Jefferson’s hands; in the words of the National Intelligencer, the library “for its selection, rarity and intrinsic value, is beyond all price.”43,44 They formed the core of the new Library of Congress.””
About This Quote
Source Historical Document: Letter to Congress, 1800
Jefferson offered his personal library to replace books burned by the British, emphasizing the priceless value of knowledge.
In simple terms: Jefferson gave his books after the British burned Congress’s.
Key Takeaway
Preserve and share knowledge after loss.
Themes
history
library
preservation
culture
politics
Mood
reflective
proud
hopeful
Type
historical
inspirational
political
When to use this quote
- government rebuilding
- library acquisition
- educational resource
- national crisis
- public policy
Key Concepts
knowledge
public good
cultural heritage
Questions to Reflect On
- What motivates individuals to donate personal assets for public use?
- How does loss shape cultural priorities?
A Different Perspective
The offered may have been limited by political motives or personal ambition.
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