Jefferson Counts and
Measures His Library

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)
Holograph list of book titles,
1815
Manuscript Division (9.2)

Thomas Jefferson compiled this detailed list of books in his library after agreeing to sell his collection to Congress. Jefferson noted books missing from his collection, as well as those added after his catalog had been completed. Jefferson paid particular attention to the size of the books because that was the basis upon which the purchase price was calculated.