Today in 1802, John J. Beckley became the first Librarian of the U.S. Congress.
When the position of Librarian of Congress was established in 1802, two years after the library was established by an act of Congress, President Thomas Jefferson asked his friend and political ally John Beckley—who also was serving as the Clerk of the House of Representatives—to fill the post. Beckley served concurrently in both positions until his death in 1807.
“The unleashed, unlimited pursuit of truth may be the last frontier and the ultimate proving ground for our American ideal of freedom”—James H. Billington, The Librarian of Congress (1987-2015)