TODAY.AZ / Weird / Interesting

U.S. President "owes $300 000" to New York Society Library

20 April 2010 [10:27] - TODAY.AZ
George Washington reportedly owes an inflation-adjusted library fine of $300,000 (£197,000) for failing to return two books.
The first president - who passed away in 1799 - took out two books from the New York Society Library but never game them back.

Head librarian Mark Bartlett joked: "We're not actively pursuing the overdue fines. But we would be very happy if we were able to get the books back.

"It's hard to know what could have happened. There are as many questions for us as there are answers."

The two books borrowed on October 5, 1789 were treatise on international relations Law Of Nations and volume 12 of Commons Debates.

The discovery that the books may still be missing was first made in 1934, when a ledger was found among rubbish in the library's basement showing that the tomes had been taken out by "President".

The books were due back on November 2, 1789 but the returned column had been left empty. When the 14-volume Commons Debates compendium was recently found, the 12th volume taken out by Washington was missing.


/Digital Spy/
URL: http://www.today.az/news/interesting/66421.html

Print version

Views: 2476

Connect with us. Get latest news and updates.

Recommend news to friend

  • Your name:
  • Your e-mail:
  • Friend's name:
  • Friend's e-mail: