April 18, 201016 yr http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8627835.stm Librarians in New York's oldest library have uncovered 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 (£195,000) 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. He famously never told a lie, but it seems George Washington was not without his faults, the BBC's Madeleine Morris notes, reporting from Washington. Two small losses 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 misdemeanour as they were digitising the library's ledger from that time. The New York Society Library says it will not pursue the fine but it would like the books back. Sadly for fans of 18th-Century political literature, they appear to have vanished. On the balance sheet of George Washington's achievements for America, mark down two small losses, our correspondent says. This is a pretty interesting and hilarious discovery. SWAG Mayn U wanna be like me but U can't be me cuz U ain't got ma swagga on.
April 18, 201016 yr I think the library should pursue this one... Unfinished netherrack symbol of Khorne. Never forget. ~creeper face w/single tear~ DO YOU HEAR THE VOICES TOO?!?!
April 18, 201016 yr my family owes like $50 in late fees. L I have all the 99s, and have been playing since 2001. Comped 4/30/15 My Araxxi Kills: 459::Araxxi Drops(KC):Araxxi Hilts: 4x Eye (14/126/149/459), Web - (100) Fang (193) Araxxi Legs Completed: 5 ---Top (69/206/234/292/361), Middle (163/176/278/343/395), Bottom (135/256/350/359/397)Boss Pets: Supreme - 848 KCIf you play Xbox One - Add me! GT: Urtehnoes - Currently on a Destiny binge
April 18, 201016 yr Author Does Washington still have direct decendants today? Apparently. Some genealogists tried to determine who would be the heir to the American throne (assuming George Washington became the American monarch instead of the president), and they found a random family in Texas. They were direct descendants of Washington. Likewise, some letters written by Washington sold at an auction for like $3.2 million not long ago. The family that owned them were direct descendants of Bushrod Washington. To answer your question, yes, there are direct descendants of Mr Washington. SWAG Mayn U wanna be like me but U can't be me cuz U ain't got ma swagga on.
April 18, 201016 yr Does Washington still have direct decendants today?I was under the impression that you couldn't be punished for something your great-great-great-great-great grandfather did... :/ YouTube
April 18, 201016 yr 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.Oh my god this made me lol. I have a feeling everybody who has read this news report got swindled because it was really the aide who took it out.. he must've had a lot of balls to "forge" the president's title. He must've been a pretty cool dude.
April 18, 201016 yr The BBC must have had nothing better to investigate. I painted some stuff and put it on tumblr
April 18, 201016 yr Wow, this is world-shattering news. Okay, to contribute something, where are the books right now? EDIT: never mind, found the answer >.<
April 19, 201016 yr Wow, this is world-shattering news. Okay, to contribute something, where are the books right now? EDIT: never mind, found the answer >.<I can see an episode of Pawn Stars around this... I painted some stuff and put it on tumblr
April 19, 201016 yr I have to say that I don't think that this was deserving of it's own topic. "Those who give up their liberty for more security neither deserve liberty nor security." Support transparency... and by extension, freedom and democracy.
April 19, 201016 yr This gave me a well needed laugh. How do people figure this stuff out in the first place? :P And I thought loans only accumulate for the price of the book... hmm.... A reflection is just a distorted reality held by glass and your mind.
April 19, 201016 yr Those two books were taken out by "President". Just below an entry for another two books taken out by "Mickey Mouse". :P For it is the greyness of dusk that reigns.The time when the living and the dead exist as one.
April 19, 201016 yr Mirror, they do, the fees mentioned here are only a supposition of what the late fee might be if the book was returned and that policy was not in place. Its more interesting then saying "George Washington owes the library 5$."
April 20, 201016 yr My dad also got a book from the library and hasn't returned it. From 1988 I think. "The cry of the poor is not always just, but if you never hear it you'll never know what justice is."
Create an account or sign in to comment