Celebrating Magna Carta’s 800th Anniversary

To mark the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta, the great English charter of rights and liberties that received King John’s seal in 1215, the Library of Congress in association with Thomson Reuters will publish « Magna Carta: Muse & Mentor, » the companion book to the Library’s exhibition of the same title that opens Nov. 6.

Edited by Justice Randy J. Holland (Delaware Supreme Court), the book features a foreword by U.S. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and essays by leading United States and United Kingdom Magna Carta scholars. Law Librarian of Congress David S. Mao provides an insider’s overview of the exhibition. Susan Reyburn, a writer-editor in the Library’s Publishing Office, recounts the American adventures of the Lincoln Cathedral Magna Carta—the same version appearing this year—which found refuge at the Library during World War II. Other chapters, including contributions from retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and retired Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales Lord Igor Judge, examine Magna Carta in history, popular culture, and the shaping of American life and law.

« Magna Carta: Muse & Mentor, » the 305-page hardcover book with 100 images, is available for $69 in the Library of Congress Shop, 10 First St. S.E., Washington, D.C., 20540-4985. Credit-card orders are taken at (888) 682-3557 or www.loc.gov/shop/ and at legalsolutions.com/magna-carta.

The Lincoln Cathedral Magna Carta—one of only four surviving copies of the original issued in 1215—will be on view at the Library of Congress Monday through Saturday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., in the South Gallery on the second floor of the Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St. S.E., Washington, D.C., through Jan. 19, 2015. The exhibition of the great charter and 75 related items is free and open to the public.

The Library’s exhibition is made possible by The Federalist Society and 1st Financial Bank USA. Additional support comes from the Friends of the Law Library of Congress, BP America, The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, the Earhart Foundation, White & Case LLP, The Burton Foundation for Legal Achievement, the Office of the General Counsel of the American University, and other donors as well as contributions received from Thomson Reuters, William S. Hein & Co. Inc., and Raytheon Company through the Friends of the Law Library. The Library also acknowledges the support and assistance provided by the British Council. This exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities.

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