Dangerous Ideas: Controversial works from the William L. Clements Library
In honor of Banned Books Week, this online exhibit from the William L. Clements Library presents twenty titles from the collection that have been the subject of controversy at different moments in history.
These books span over four centuries, from the Nuremberg Chronicle in 1493 to Elinor Glyn’s Three Weeks in 1907. They provide examples of actual or attempted censorship by governments, social organizations, and private citizens. The topics of controversy, from witchcraft to abolitionism to adultery, show how societies’ values have changed over time as subjects that are taboo in one generation become commonplace in the next.
Too often do discussions about censorship focus mostly (if not only) on titles from the 20th and 21st centuries. While discussing current controversies is obviously important, doing so is not telling the whole story. This exhibit is important (not only to Clements Library patrons) because it reminds us that banning books is nothing new and it provides us with truly interesting examples of this fact.
Great exhibit! It might be worthwhile to forward this exhibit to those in charge of Banned Books Week so they can include it on their site (just a thought!)