Destruction of the Library of Congress
On December 22, 1851, a fire engulfed the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., resulting in the loss of a significant number of invaluable books and manuscripts. The fire was ignited in the basement due to a faulty stove, quickly spreading throughout the building. Notably, this fire destroyed nearly two-thirds of the library's collection at the time, including Thomas Jefferson's library, which had been acquired by the Library to replenish its collection after previous losses. The incident highlighted the vulnerabilities of important cultural institutions to disaster.
Fire started in the library's basement.
Loss included significant works from Jefferson's library.
Approximately 35,000 books were destroyed.
Prompted reforms in library safety and preservation.
What Happened?
The Library of Congress was the largest library in the United States during the 19th century and housed an extensive collection of books and manuscripts. On December 22, 1851, a devastating fire broke out in the building. The blaze began in the basement, sparked by a defective stove, and rapidly spread throughout the library, overwhelming the firefighting efforts of the time. Despite the best efforts of firefighters, the fire consumed an estimated 35,000 books, approximately two-thirds of the library's holdings, which included rare and invaluable texts. Among the most significant losses were over 6,000 volumes from Thomas Jefferson's library, which had been sold to the library after the British burned the original congressional collection in 1814.The aftermath of the fire prompted a reevaluation of the Library of Congress's facilities and fire prevention measures. Congress responded by providing funding for the rebuilding of the library, which included better fire safety features. A new building was constructed to house the library's growing collection, and in 1897, the current Jefferson Building was completed. This event marked a pivotal moment in the history of the Library of Congress, emphasizing the importance of conservation and protection of cultural heritage.
Why Does it Matter?
The burning of the Library of Congress is significant as it underscored the fragility of cultural institutions and the necessity of implementing improved safety measures for the preservation of historical artifacts. The loss of Thomas Jefferson's library, which represented the intellectual heritage of the nation, was particularly impactful. It served as a catalyst for stronger library infrastructure and fire prevention strategies, laying the foundation for modern archival consciousness and the protection of cultural resources.