Librarians Uncover A Surprising Book Thief: George Washington
- The first president of the United States of America borrowed two books from the New York Society Library in 1789 but failed to return them.
- Adjusted for inflation, he has since racked up $300,000 USD in fines for being some 220 years late.
- The New York Society Library says it will not pursue the fine. It would simply like the books back.
- On 5 October 1789, the first president borrowed two books from what was then the only library in Manhattan - "Law of Nations," a dissertation on international relations, and a volume of debate transcripts from Britain's House of Commons.
- George Washington did not even bother to sign his name in the borrower's ledger. An aide simply scrawled "president" next to the title to show who had taken them out.
- The two tomes were due back a month later but were never returned and have been accruing late fees ever since. Librarians uncovered the misdemeanor as they were disguising the library's ledger from that time
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