American Presidents: What They Read and What They Wrote

Memoir of a Map of Hindoostan; or the Mogul Empire.

Like so many others, many authors held George Washington in high regard and sent him books they had written, like this copy of Memoir of a Map of Hindoostan, as tokens of their admiration. Washington kept this book in his library and signed it on the…

The Discourses of Davila. A Series of Papers, on Political History. Written in the Year 1790, and Published in the Gazette of the United States.

John Adams wrote this book in 1790. It was published shortly after he returned from Britain. He listed “An American Citizen” as the author of his book because he wanted to remain anonymous and didn’t want to receive any praise. Discourses on Davila…

[Iliad.] Ομηρου Ιλιας, και Οδυσσεια, id est, Homeri Ilias & Odyssea: latine ad verbum expositae, [volume 1].

Thomas Jefferson’s copy of Homer’s Iliad was published during the Renaissance and became part of his library at Monticello. Greek and Latin were important parts of Jefferson’s education and influenced his thought and the language he used. SF.

An Introduction to the History of the Dutch Republic, for the Last Ten Years, Reckoning from the Year 1777.

This book was James Madison’s personal copy and was signed by him. One reason that he was reading about other republics was to get an idea of how their countries and governments were run. The Netherlands’ government influenced Madison and is the…

A General System of Nature, Through the Three Grand Kingdoms of Animals, Vegetables, and Minerals, Systematically Divided. . . . Mineral Kingdom. Life, Dictionary &c.

Carl Linnaeus’ Systema Natura, or A General System of Nature, was a major work of Enlightenment science. This copy of William Turton’s English translation was in James Monroe’s library and contains his bookplate. SF.

Oration on the Life and Character of Gilbert Motier de LaFayette, Delivered at the Request of Both Houses of the Congress of the United States, Before Them, in the House of Representatives at Washington, on the 31st December 1834.

Oration on the life and character of Gilbert Motier de LaFayette is about the French general who helped the United States in the Revolutionary War. After LaFayette’s death in 1834, John Quincy Adams memorialized him with this eulogy before a joint…

Washington’s Farewell Address, to the People of the United States: Published in September, A. D. 1796.

Andrew Jackson owned few books, but he thought highly of George Washington’s farewell address and referred to it in his own final speech as president, saying: “The lessons contained in this invaluable legacy of Washington to his countrymen should be…

The Naval Temple: Containing a Complete History of the Battles Fought by the Navy of the United States.

Martin Van Buren and his son Abraham both owned and read this book, The Naval Temple: Containing a Complete History of the Battles Fought by the Navy of the United States. It shows all of the battles that the US Navy was involved in through the…

A History of the State of Ohio, Natural and Civil.

Books from William Henry Harrison’s library are scarce, probably because his widow clipped his signature out of his books to give to autograph collectors. This book, the first full-length history of the state of Ohio, was a gift from Harrison to W.…

Exploration and Survey of the Valley of the Great Salt Lake of Utah, Including a Reconnoissance of a New Route through the Rocky Mountains.

This book, John Tyler’s copy of Exploration and Survey of the Great Salt Lake of Utah, evidences a major aspect of Tyler’s policy: westward expansion. As president, Tyler signed the “Log Cabin Bill,” which allowed settlers to claim up to 160 acres of…