George Washington, the father of the United States, famed General, and beloved Patriot, was also a bad borrower, at least according to ledgers uncovered at one of the country’s first libraries.  Some 200 years ago, George Washington borrowed two books from the New York Society Library (the only library in NYC at the time), Law of Nations, a book on international law, and volume 12 of The Commons Debates, a book of debates from Britain’s House of Commons, on October 5, 1789.  The books, due back November 2, are still outstanding.

If the library was to charge Washington for the books, his late fines would total up to an inflation-adjusted $300,000.  The ledger was first discovered in 1934, but no one knew the book was actually missing until librarian Matthew Haugen stumbled across The Commons Debates and discovered that volume 12 of the 14-volume set was missing.  Sure enough, George Washington is a delinquent borrower!  Given how happy libraries were to have books back after 45 years and 60 years, I think they’d love to get their books back after 200 years.  Maybe they’re still at Mt. Vernon!

Tags: George Washington, library fines, New York Society Library, overdue books, Law of Nations, The Commons Debates Volume 12, George Washington has overdue library books, Matthew Haugen

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