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Category: Exhibitions

George Washington and King George III — Exhibit Showcases Common Ties

Posted by: Wendi Maloney

A major new Library exhibition, “The Two Georges: Parallel Lives in an Age of Revolution,” uses original documents such as letters, diaries, maps, newspapers and political cartoons to shed light on striking likenesses between men long supposed to be polar opposites -- George Washington and King George III. The two opposed one another during the Revolutionary War, but actually shared many personal and leadership traits. The exhibit, a joint project between the Library of Congress and the Royal Archives, runs at the Library through next March. It is also online via the Library's website and in a companion book.

Promotional poster for the "Two Georges" exhibit, featuring the faces of King George III and George Washington.

Parallel Lives: King George and George Washington, Featured in an Upcoming Exhibit

Posted by: Neely Tucker

Because George Washington and King George III were on opposite sides of America’s war of independence from Britain, we have learned to think of them as opposites. Our research for an upcoming Library of Congress exhibition, “The Two Georges: Parallel Lives in an Age of Revolution,” however, has turned up something much more interesting: They were surprisingly alike in temperament, interests and, despite the obvious differences in their lives and experiences.

A lush portrait of two royal boys, lavishly dressed in an ornate room.

Washington’s Plot to Kidnap a British Prince

Posted by: Mark Hartsell

During the Revolutionary War, George Washington approved an audacious plan to kidnap King George's third son, Prince William, then in New York, and hold him hostage -- with all the greatest respect. The attempt was never made, for which the future King William IV was grateful when he later learned of the plot.

A brown, very faded, falling apart leather notebook cover, opened to show front and back

George Washington: Land Surveyor

Posted by: Neely Tucker

George Washington made his living as a land surveyor from ages 17 to 20, an enterprise that took him deep into the Blue Ridge Mountains in what is now Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia. His diaries and surveying field notebooks are preserved at the Library, along with the rest of his papers, and are featured in a new exhibit, "The Two Georges."

Black and white head and shoulders photo of William H. Crogman in middle age. He is wearing a suit and tie and glasses. He is balding with white hair and mustache.

William Crogman’s Daring “Race Textbook” of 1898

Posted by: Neely Tucker

At the end of the 19th century, educator William Henry Crogman had a revolutionary idea: a textbook on African American history, achievements and survival for Black students both in and outside of the classroom. His "Progress of a Race," a textbook that told the history of African Americans as overcoming violence and bigotry, was not the first of its kind but probably the most influential. It caught on quickly, was heavily circulated and sold door-to-door through subscription for decades. The Library preserves several editions of this book, including the 1898 first edition.

Half portrait of middle-aged W.E.B. Du Bois in a studio. He's wearing a suit, collared shirt, and regards the camera with a serious expression. Most notable is his handlebar moustache.

Du Bois and the Paris Exposition of 1900: Three Pictures

Posted by: Neely Tucker

"The Exhibit of American Negroes" was a display of hundreds of photographs, charts and graphs detailing the lives of Black Americans at the 1900 Paris Exposition, or world's fair. It was put together by W.E.B. Du Bois, Thomas Calloway and Daniel A.P. Murray, three major activists and educators of the era (Murray worked for the Library). Here, we look at three photographs of women that Du Bois selected for the exhibition.