Thomas Jefferson Encyclopedia

I cannot live without books (Quotation)

In an 1815 letter to John Adams, Jefferson declared he could not live without books.

Antique books illustrating titles owned by Thomas Jefferson on a shelf in the Library at Monticello.

Period editions of books similar to those owned by Jefferson in a reproduction of one of his book boxes in the Monticello Library; photographic image (c) Thomas Jefferson Foundation.

"I cannot live without books; but fewer will suffice where amusement, and not use, is the only future object." - Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, June 10, 18151

 

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Footnotes

  1. PTJ:RS, 8:523. Polygraph copy available online at Thomas Jefferson Papers, Library of Congress. Transcription available at Founders Online.