The Clements Library website includes events, exhibits, subject guides, newsletter issues, library staff, and more.

Writing the Injured Body

Writing the Injured Body

Guest post by Jean Franzino, Clements Library 2019 Norton Strange Townshend Fellow * * * In 1904, New Jersey Civil War veteran George R. Shebbeard published his life narrative, a 32-page booklet of the sort sold by disabled veterans for their economic support. The...
William L. Clements and “The Death of General Wolfe”

William L. Clements and “The Death of General Wolfe”

The Death of General Wolfe was reinstalled for permanent public display at the William L. Clements Library last month. Over 240 years old and 8 1/2 feet in width, the epic Benjamin West painting once again graces its longtime home after nearly seven years offsite. In...
New Graphics Finding Aids: March – June 2019

New Graphics Finding Aids: March – June 2019

The Clements Library is pleased to announce that the following graphics collections are now described online and may be requested for use in the reading room. Andrews’ Raid scrapbook and telegraph ledger, 1885-1888 – Processed by Louiegrf Miller The...
Impressions of France Behind the Lines

Impressions of France Behind the Lines

The Clements Library exhibition “Over There” with the American Expeditionary Forces in France During the Great War is open through April 26, 2019, on Fridays from 10am to 4pm. The following material is excerpted from a pamphlet produced to accompany the...
New Finding Aids: December 2018 to January 2019

New Finding Aids: December 2018 to January 2019

The Clements Library is pleased to announce that the following collections are now described online and may be requested for use in the reading room. James Buchanan Letters, 1866-1869 – Processed by Cari Griffin This collection contains 10 letters written by...
The First Published African-American Composer

The First Published African-American Composer

Portrait courtesy of IMSLP.org The earliest published African-American composer in the United States is Francis “Frank” Johnson (1792-1844), whose international musical career first flourished in Philadelphia, the city of his birth. Johnson lived through the era of...
Printing and Painting Perry’s Victory on Lake Erie

Printing and Painting Perry’s Victory on Lake Erie

Nestled in the Clements Library’s Oliver Hazard Perry Papers are remarkable documents detailing the commodore’s naval career, with some 200 pieces highlighting his service in the War of 1812. In September of 1813 he famously won the Battle of Lake Erie, a...
Copycats: A Closer Look at Vues d’Optique

Copycats: A Closer Look at Vues d’Optique

People often say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.  At first glance, the rationale behind this expression would seem to have played a critical role in the creative process of many European and American artists, etchers, engravers and lithographers of...