The Dark Lord Posted April 18, 2010 Share Posted April 18, 2010 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarg1010 Posted April 18, 2010 Share Posted April 18, 2010 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?!?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riku3220 Posted April 18, 2010 Share Posted April 18, 2010 Does Washington still have direct decendants today? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saru Inc Posted April 18, 2010 Share Posted April 18, 2010 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dark Lord Posted April 18, 2010 Author Share Posted April 18, 2010 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abc1230 Posted April 18, 2010 Share Posted April 18, 2010 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastortoise Posted April 18, 2010 Share Posted April 18, 2010 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alg Posted April 18, 2010 Share Posted April 18, 2010 The BBC must have had nothing better to investigate. I painted some stuff and put it on tumblr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffwilson99 Posted April 18, 2010 Share Posted April 18, 2010 Truly fascinating! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Distracted Posted April 18, 2010 Share Posted April 18, 2010 Wow, this is world-shattering news. Okay, to contribute something, where are the books right now? EDIT: never mind, found the answer >.< Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alg Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skeptical Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirror Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dusqi Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
das1330 Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 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$." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giordano Posted April 20, 2010 Share Posted April 20, 2010 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." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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