Dorothea L. Dix (1802-1887) was an actively engaged citizen who tirelessly advocated for help for the less fortunate, particularly the mentally ill. Use the resources below to learn more. Dorothea Lynde Dix portrait Dorothea Lynde Dix to Abraham Lincoln, Monday, June 17, 1861 (transcription) To the Legislature of Massachusetts [protesting against the confinement of insane persons and idiots in almshouses and prisons] Dorothea Dix 1843 Memorial soliciting a state hospital for the … [Read more...]
Primary Source Spotlight: Gwendolyn Brooks
April 5, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Pulitzer Prize winner Gwendolyn Brooks (1917-2000) wrote more than 20 books of poetry and served as the Illinois Poet Laureate from 1968-2000 and Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 1985-1986. Learn more about this amazing artist by investigating the resources below. Audio recordings Readings in Afro-American poetry: Gwendolyn Brooks, Michael S. Harper, and Robert Hayden reading their own poems and those of other Afro-American poets in the Coolidge Auditorium, Feb. 23, … [Read more...]
Today in History: Robert Penn Warren
September 15, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–September 15–the Library of Congress features writer Robert Penn Warren, who died on this date in 1989. A novelist and poet who won a Pulitzer Prize for his novel All the Kings Men and two Pulitzers for his poetry, Warren was also a teacher, critic. He also served as poetry consultant for the Library from 1944-45 and as U.S. poet laureate in 1986. Discover more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more primary sources about the … [Read more...]
Learning from the Source: Capturing Character on Camera
July 10, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The Today in History section for July 10 features Jelly Roll Morton, one of jazz music's primary influences. From 1938 to 1948, William P. Gottlieb took over 1600 photographs of celebrated jazz artists. Carl Van Vechten also took a similar number of photographs of celebrities, including many figures from the Harlem Renaissance. The Library has two great resources for learning about the art of photography and how photographers capture and present a music performer's character on camera, which we … [Read more...]
Today in History: L. Frank Baum
May 15, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–May 15–the Library of Congress features The Wonderful Wizard of Oz author L. Frank Baum, born on this day in 1856. Lyman Frank Baum was in his 40s by the time he became a bestselling author. Learn more about this writer and the extraordinary success of the Oz mass media franchise by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access all types of Oz primary sources as well as books and stories by Baum* and Oz illustrator W.W. Denslow. L. Frank Baum … [Read more...]
Featured Image: Cayuse Warrior
February 16, 2012 by Leave a Comment
More Cayuse primary sources … [Read more...]
Elizabeth Cady Stanton born. Check out our 
Mapmaker Albert Ruger died. Check out our