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Discussion will focus on Thomas Jefferson’s personal library
Mark Dimunation, chief of rare book and special collections division at the Library of Congress, will be the first speaker in the Paul and June Schlueter Lectureship in the Art and History of the Book 4:30 p.m. April 23 in the Gendebien Room of Skillman Library.
Dimunation’s lecture, “Forged in Fire: Building the Nation’s Rare Book Collection,” will examine Congress’ purchase of Thomas Jefferson’s personal library in 1815 to replace the original congressional collection, burned by the British in 1814. Jefferson’s library is considered the finest private library in the country, rich in philosophy, classical literature, and scientific treatises, provided the core of what has become one of the worlds’ great collections. Dimunation is currently overseeing the re-creation of his original library, which will form the nucleus of the Library of Congress’s interactive exhibition honoring Jefferson’s library, scheduled to open April 12.
A reception will take place in the Simon Room in Skillman Library immediately following the lecture where the new exhibit, “Choice of All My Library:” Thirteen Treasures from Lafayette’s Rare Book Collection has been mounted in honor of the Schlueter Lecture.
Running until July 31, the exhibit features noteworthy works from the Skillman Library’s Rare Book Collection that span seven centuries of printing. They include the Nuremberg Chronicle (1493), Palladio’s Four Books of Architecture (1570), Shakespeare’s Second Folio (1632), the Ephrata Cloister Martyrs’ Mirror (1748 – 49), Blake’s illustrations for “The Grave” (1808), the Doves Press Bible (1903-05), and several 21st century artists’ books.
The Schlueter Lectureship was established by Paul and June Schlueter in 2007 in support of Skillman Library’s Special Collections. The series is intended to cover a range of topics associated with the history, culture, production, conservation, and collection of books of all times periods. The Schlueters’ generous gift also supports acquisitions for Special Collections in the area of the art and history of the book.
June Schlueter served as the College’s Provost from 1993 – 2006 and as a professor of English from 1977 – 2008. Paul Schlueter is a scholar, editor, reviewer, and a long-time member of the Friends of Skillman Library’s Executive Council. Both have written and edited extensively, sometimes in collaboration with one another.
Dimunation has been at the Library of Congress since 1998 where he oversees a collection of nearly 800,000 items. His career has included stints at some of the nation’s most prestigious rare book repositories, including the Bancroft Library of the University of California at Berkeley, Stanford University, and Cornell University. He specializes in 18th and 19th century English and American printing, as well as fine press and contemporary artists’ books. He holds masters degrees in history and library and information science from the University of California, Berkeley and a bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College. He is a member of the Grolier Club.