A Founding Reader
Among the American Founding Fathers, Thomas Jefferson is always considered the one world-class bibliophile. A voracious reader and correspondent, he sold his personal library as the foundation of the rebuilt Library of Congress in 1814.
However, John Adams, Jefferson’s predecessor as President and longtime political confidant (not that they didn’t have a lengthy estrangement), was certainly Jefferson’s equal in "the gentle madness".
A highly opinionated and easily irritated man (Adams famously referred to rival Alexander Hamilton as “that bastard son of a Scotch peddler”), Adams consumed books at a furious pace, and his marginalia commentary continues to be pored over by scholars.
The Boston Public Library is in the final month of a unique exhibit: 3500 of Adams’ books, handwritten notes, and other pieces of Adams memorabilia. The exhibit, John Adams Unbound, offers twice-weeky tours now through April 29. Admission is free.
However, John Adams, Jefferson’s predecessor as President and longtime political confidant (not that they didn’t have a lengthy estrangement), was certainly Jefferson’s equal in "the gentle madness".
A highly opinionated and easily irritated man (Adams famously referred to rival Alexander Hamilton as “that bastard son of a Scotch peddler”), Adams consumed books at a furious pace, and his marginalia commentary continues to be pored over by scholars.
The Boston Public Library is in the final month of a unique exhibit: 3500 of Adams’ books, handwritten notes, and other pieces of Adams memorabilia. The exhibit, John Adams Unbound, offers twice-weeky tours now through April 29. Admission is free.
posted by Stephen Miller at 8:50 AM
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