On July 22nd, 1806, Thomas Jefferson received word that George Wythe bequeathed his massive library to Thomas Jefferson and that the books were being packed for shipment to Monticello. George Wythe was a lawyer, politician, teacher, and law professor prominent in the Williamsburg community. He was also a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

He served as a mentor to Thomas Jefferson and many other founders who spent time at William and Mary. In his will, he will leave his entire library to Thomas Jefferson, his prize student, then serving as President of the United States. After the burning of Washington in the War of 1812, Thomas Jefferson will sell his first library, including the books of George Wythe, to become our Library of Congress.