Legacy Library James Wilson
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Library Information
| Library date | 1798-08-21 |
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| Library Size (titles) | 92 identified |
| Library Size (volumes) | 179 identified |
| Sources | Estate inventory; Philadelphia County Archives (taken September 1798) Auction & bookseller lot descriptions |
| Library Notes | See Page Smith, James Wilson: Founding Father (1956), p. 390: "One hundred and sixty-three volumes from Wilson's large library brought $253.75. Included were a score of books on farming, ... the Princeps Christianus, the Constitution of the United States, twelve copies of the Pennsylvania Constitution of 1790, and the debates of the Pennsylvania ratifying convention." This is inaccurate in many respects: the books were appraised as part of the probate inventory, but there is no indication that they were auctioned. The total volume count is 162, very few books on farming were listed, and I have not located the reference to twelve copies of the Pennsylvania Constitution. Many of Wilson's books were likely sold off before his death, to satisfy creditors. |
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Entity Information
| Date of Birth | 1742-09-14 |
| Date of Death | 1798-08-21 |
| Gender | male |
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