Thomas Jefferson library

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If we encounter a man of rare intellect, we should ask him what books he reads.
–Ralph Waldo Emerson 

I detoured to the Library of Congress after seeing the long queue waiting to enter the Capitol. It was a great tip from a docent from the Capitol because I wanted to visit the Library after the Capitol... and it's featured in the movie "National Treasure".

 What I didn't know is that it's also where Thomas Jefferson's library is preserved. According to the notes, the library, in its entirety, has over 6000 books. That's a lot of reading in one lifetime! However, a fire at the Library of Congress burned most of the books; so only one-third of the collection remains on exhibit.

Jefferson is nothing short of a bookworm. The library contains a variety of subjects covering Shakespeare, philosophy, botany, chemistry, religion, and politics (of course)... and in different languages too! He owned several titles authored by Niccolo Machiavelli (the guy who theorised that "the end justifies the means").

Some of the bookshelves were empty, I noticed. It turned out that the Library of Congress is currently ensuring that these volumes are preserved better through digitalisation. This is a really good idea because natural calamities, building damage, and/or environmental conditions inside the Library could destroy the books. For example, continuous exposure to light have faded the words on the Charters of Freedom; hence, the National Archives now keep them on display in a dimly lit, cold room... just like the Jefferson Library exhibit.

It was fascinating to see the books that Jefferson read because these books shaped his politics. He lived true to his words. Knowledge is power.

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