The Curation of Knowledge: How the Mission of the Library of Congress Changed in the Nineteenth Century

Author

Timothy S. Turvey, University of VermontFollow

Date of Completion

2024

Thesis Type

College of Arts and Science Honors

Department

History

First Advisor

Nicole Phelps

Keywords

Library of Congress, Library, Smithsonian, United States, Nineteenth Century, Thomas Jefferson

Abstract

At its founding in 1800, the Library of Congress exclusively served Congress, the president, and the vice president. Over time, different crises, including two separate fires, created the opportunity to change the mission of the library. This thesis will assess how the collection that Thomas Jefferson sold to Congress in 1815 first altered that mission. Examining how the library fits into the larger narrative of Washington DC while considering the role of political parties and the enduring ideas of Jefferson all help to understand how the Library of Congress became the curator of knowledge it is today.

Recommended Citation

Turvey, Timothy S., "The Curation of Knowledge: How the Mission of the Library of Congress Changed in the Nineteenth Century" (2024). UVM College of Arts and Sciences College Honors Theses. 164.
https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/castheses/164