Known Surviving Wythe Volumes

Many of the actual volumes from George Wythe's personal library have survived to the present day. In particular, some books willed to Thomas Jefferson ended up at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., which has the largest collection of books originally owned by Wythe.

George Wythe's copy of Acts Passed at a General Assembly (1780). From the collection of the Library of Virginia.

This list indicates surviving books' current locations, and proof of Wythe's prior ownership:

College of William & Mary, Wolf Law Library

Includes Wythe bookplate

• Coke, Edward. The Reports of Sir Edward Coke, kt. In English, in Thirteen Parts Compleat; (With References to All the Ancient and Modern Books of the Law.). London: In the Savoy, Printed by E. and R. Nutt, and R. Gosling, for R. Gosling, 1738. [Volumes VI and VII only. Also inscribed on inside of front board: "Given by Thos. Jefferson to D. Carr, 1806."] (on permanent loan from the Earl Gregg Swem Library)

• Plutarch. Plutarch's Lives. Translated with notes historical and critical from M. Dacier. London: Printed for J. Tonson, 1727. [Volume 8 only.]

Includes Wythe signature

• Virginia. Convention (1775 July 17: Richmond, Va.). The Proceedings of the Convention of Delegates for the Counties and Corporations in the Colony of Virginia, held at Richmond Town, in the County of Henrico, on Monday the 17th of July, 1775. Williamsburg, 1775. [Signed on title page: G. Wythe.] (on permanent loan from the Earl Gregg Swem Library)

Inscribed to Wythe

• Blair, Hugh. Lectures on Rhetoric and Belles Lettres. Philadelphia: Printed and sold by Robert Aitken, 1784. [Inscribed on the front leaf: For the Honorable George Wythe Esquire from his most affectionate friend and obliged humble servant Thomas Lee Shippen. also includes George W. on front leaf] (on permanent loan from the Earl Gregg Swem Library)

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library

Includes Wythe’s bookplate

• Homer. Ομηρου Οδυσσεια. Homeri Odyssea Græca. Oxonii: 1750.

• Rastell, William. A Collection of Entries of Declarations, Barres, Replications, Rejoynders, Issues, Verdicts, Judgements, Executions, Proces, Continuances, Essoynes, and Divers Other Matters Newly Amended and Much Enlarged with Many Good Presidents of Later Time, Whereof Divers are upon Sundry Statutes, and Noted in the End of the Table: the New Presidents throughout the Book, and likewise their Titles in the Table, have this Mark [fingerpost] set before Them: by the Authors Epistle, and Directions Therein, .... London: Printed by John Streater, James Flesher, and Henry Twyford, assigns of Richard Atkins and Edward Atkins ... and are to be sold by George Sawbridge, 1670.

Inscribed by Wythe

• Jefferson, Thomas. Notes on the State of Virginia; written in the Year 1781, somewhat corrected and enlarged in the Winter of 1782, for the use of a Foreigner of Distinction,… [Paris]: 1782 [1784-85]. 1st edition [Inscribed on the front blank leaf: The Gift of the Honbl. George Wythe To Upton Beall May 10th 1787. Virginia & Maryland. Also inscribed on the first page: Upton Beale/ To gift the Honb. G. Wythe.]

• Lucretius Carus, Titus. T. Lucretius Carus, Of the Nature of Things, in Six Books. Translated by Thomas Creech. 2nd edition. London: 1714-15. [Title page of first volume inscribed, Of Doctor James Blair's executor bought by G. Wythe.]

Inscribed to Wythe

• Adams, John. Thoughts on Government; Applicable to the Present State of the American Colonies. Reprint ed. Boston: 1776. [Inscribed From John Adams to George Wythe.]

Library of Congress

Includes Wythe bookplate

• Andrews, George. Reports of Cases Argued and Adjudged in the Court of King's Bench, in the Eleventh and Twelfth Years of the Reign of His Present Majesty King George the Second. London, In the Savoy: 1754. Includes armorial bookplate of George Wythe and ms. lists in Wythe's hand.

• Bacon, Matthew, Joseph Sayer, and Owen Ruffhead. A New Abridgment of the Law. 3rd ed. London, In the Savoy: 1736-66. Volumes 1-3 have note on front pastedown, "Given by Thos. Jefferson to D. Carr, 1806." Vol. 2 includes armorial bookplate of George Wythe. Vol. 4 has "George Wythe" in manuscript on preliminary p. (3).

• Bible. New Testament. Tes Kaines Diathekes Apanta = Novum Testamentum. Londini: Impensis R. Knaplock, J. Tonson, & J. Watts. 1728. Includes armorial bookplate of George Wythe.

• Brownlow, Richard. Brownlow Latinè Redivivus: a Book of Entries: of Such Declarations, Informations, Pleas in Barr and Abatement, Replications, Rejoynders, Issues, Verdicts, Bills of Exception to Verdicts, Judgments, Demurrers, and Other Parts of Pleadings, (Now in Use) in Personal and Mixt Actions: Contained in the First and Second Parts of the Declarations and Pleadings of Richard Brownlow. London: Printed by the assigns of Richard and Edward Atkyns ... and are to be sold by S. Heyrick ... T. and G. Sawbridge ... and M. Gillyflower, 1693. Includes armorial bookplate of George Wythe.

• Brydall, John. Ars Transferendi Dominium, the Second Part. Or, A Sure Law-Guide to the Conveyancer Consisting of Many Observations and Various Questions, with Their Resolutions, Relating to Feoffments, Grants, Fines, Common Recoveries, Exchanges, Releases, Confirmations, Attornments, Surrenders, Bargains and Sales, and Devises. London: Printed by the assigns of R. and E. Atkyns ... for Samuel Heyrick ... and Isaac Cleave, 1698. Includes armorial bookplate of George Wythe.

• Croke, George, Sir. The First[-Third] Part of The Reports of Sr George Croke Kt.: Late One of the Justices of the Court of Kings-Bench, and Formerly One of the Justices of the Court of Common-Bench; of Such Select Cases as were Adjudged in the Said Courts. London: Printed by W. Rawlins, S. Roycroft, and H. Sawbridge, assigns of Richard and Edward Atkins, Esquires; and are to be sold by H. Twyford … [et al.], 1683. Includes armorial bookplate of George Wythe.

• The Law of Actions on the Case for Torts and Wrongs: Being a Methodical Collection of All the Cases Concerning Such Actions ... to Which are Added, Several Select Precedents of Declarations and Pleas in Such Actions, and References to All that are Extant in the Books of Entries. London: Printed for Thomas Trye, 1741. Includes armorial bookplate of George Wythe.

• Levinz, Creswell, Sir. Les Reports de Sr. Creswell Levinz: Jades un del Justices del Common Bank, en Trois Parts: Commencant en le 12 an de Roy Charles II. & fini en le 8 an de son Majesty William III. London: Printed by the assigns of Richard and Edward Atkins esq; for S. Keble ... D. Browne ... T. Benskin ... and J. Walthoe …, 1702. Includes armorial bookplate of George Wythe.

• Pigott, Nathaniel. New Precedents in Conveyancing: Containing Great Variety of Curious Draughts, Many of Them on Special Occations, Drawn or Settled by Mr. Piggot, Northey, Webb, and Other Eminent Hands; and Now Publish'd from Original Manuscripts. London: Printed by H. Lintot for J. Worrall, 1742. Includes armorial bookplate of George Wythe.

• Plowden, Edmund. Les commentaries, ou Reportes de Edmunde Plowden vn apprentice de le comen ley, di diuers cases esteants matters en ley, & de les arguments sur yceux, en les temps des raygnes le roye Edwarde le Size, le roigne Mary, le roy & roigne Phillip & Mary, & le roigne Elizabeth. [1548-1579] Ouesque vn table perfect des choses notables contenus en ycell, nouelment compose per VVilliam Fletevvoode ... & iammes cy deuaunt imprime. Ausy vous aues in cest impression plusors bone notes en le mergent per tout le lyeur, en queux les cases sont referre al Abridgement de Brooke, & les lyeurs del termes, & as auters lyeurs del comen ley, queux notes sont imprimes en vn greinder letter, q̃ les notes escries per master Plowden le reporter mesme, a le fine que chescun poet sacher, queux note le reporter ad escrye, & queux sont addes per auter de puisne temps. Londini: in ædibus Richardi Tottelli, 1578. Includes armorial bookplate of George Wythe.

• Sallust. C. Sallustii Crispi Opera Omnia quae Extant. Londini: typis Gul. Strahan. Impensis S. Ballard, W. Innys, A. Ward, T. Osborne, T. Longman, C. Hitch, E. Wicksteed, C. Bathurst, & M. Cooper, 1746. Includes armorial bookplate of George Wythe.

• Shower, Bartholomew. The Reports of Sir Bartholomew Shower, knt. of Cases adjudg'd in the Court of King's Bench ... With several learned arguments. London: Printed for D. Browne, 1708. Includes armorial bookplate of George Wythe.

• Siderfin, Thomas. Les Reports des Divers Special Cases Argue & Adjudge en le Court del Bank le Roy et Auxy en le Co. Ba. & l'Exchequer. London: Printed by W. Ralins, S. Roycroft, and H. Sawbridge, assigns of Richard and Edward Atkins, for Samuel Keble, 1683. Includes armorial bookplate of George Wythe in volume 2.

• Vernon, Thomas. Cases Argued and Adjudged in the High Court of Chancery: Published from the Manuscripts of Thomas Vernon ... by order of the High Court of Chancery. London: Printed by E. and R. Nutt and R. Gosling (assigns of E. Sayer) for J. Tonson, 1726. Includes armorial bookplate of George Wythe in both volumes and Wythe's manuscript notes throughout.

• Viner, Charles. A General Abridgement of Law and Equity, Alphabetically Digested under Proper Titles, with Notes and References to the Whole. Aldershot: The author, 1742. Includes armorial bookplate of George Wythe. Set missing v.1-12, 15, and 23.

Inscribed by Wythe

• Barclay, Robert. An Apology for the True Christian Divinity: Being an Explanation and Vindication of the Principles and Doctrines of the People called Quakers. 8th ed. in English. Birmingham: Printed by John Baskerville, 1765. Includes manuscript notes attributed to George Wythe.

• Brydall, John. Jus Sigilli: or, the Law of England, touching His Majesties Four Principal Seals, viz. The Great Seale, The Privy Seale, the Exchequer Seale, and the Signet, London: 1673. Includes manuscript notes attributed to George Wythe.

• Great Britain. Court of Chancery. Cases Argued and Decreed in the High Court of Chancery. London: Printed by E. and R. Nutt and R. Gosling for J. Walthoe, 1735. Includes manuscript notes believed to be by George Wythe.

• North Carolina. Laws, etc. Hamiltons versus Eaton: A Case Respecting British Debts, Lately Determined in the Circuit Court of the United States, for North-Carolina District, Presided by C.J. Ellsworth. Newbern: Francois-Xavier Martin, 1797. Includes inscription, "Rt. Honb. G. Wythe" and manuscript notes attributed to him.

• Plowden, Edmund. The Commentaries, or Reports of Edmund Plowden ... containing divers cases upon matters of law, argued and adjudged in the several reigns of King Edward VI, Queen Mary, King and Queen Philip and Mary, and Queen Elizabeth [1548-1579] Originally written in French, and now faithfully translated into English, and considerably improved by many marginal notes and references to all the books of the common law, both ancient and modern. To which are added, the quaeries of Mr. Plowden, now first rendered into English at large, with references, and many useful observations. In two parts. With two new tables, more compleat than any yet published; the one, of the names of the cases, the other of the principal matters. London: Printed by Catharine Lintot, and Samuel Richardson, for the translator, 1761. Includes manuscript notes by George Wythe.

• Pothier, Robert Joseph. A Treatise on Obligations, Considered in a Moral and Legal View. Newburn, N.C.: Martin & Ogden, 1802. Includes manuscript notes by George Wythe.

• Stackhouse, Thomas. A New History of the Holy Bible: From the Beginning of the World to the Establishment of Christianity: with Answers to Most of the Controverted Questions, Dissertations upon the Most Remarkable Passages, and a Connection of Profane History All Along: to Which are Added, Notes Explaining Difficult Texts, Rectifying Mis-translations, and Reconciling Seeming Contradictions: the Whole Illustrated with Proper Maps and Sculptures. Edinburgh: Printed for Alex. Donaldson, and John Wood, and for James Meuros, bookseller in Kilmarnock, 1767. Includes manuscript notes in English and Greek probably by George Wythe.

• Stackhouse, Thomas. A New History of the New Testament of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: From His Birth, to the Establishment of Christianity: with Answers to Most of the Controverted Questions, Dissertations upon the Most Remarkable Passages, and a Connection of Profane History All Along: to Which are Added, Notes Explaining Difficult Texts, Rectifying Mis-translations, and Reconciling Seeming Contradictions: the Whole Illustrated with Proper Maps. Edinburgh: Printed by Sands, Murray, and Cochran for James Meuros, bookseller in Kilmarnock, 1765. Includes manuscript notes attributed to George Wythe.

• Wythe, George. Between, Joseph Wilkins, Administrator of his Late Defunct wife Sarah, one of the Grandaughters and Legataries of Thomas Williamson, and Widow, when She was Married Last of Hartwell Cocke, Plaintiff, and, John Taylor, and William Urquhart, Executors of the said Thomas Williamson, Defendents. [Richmond, VA: Printed by Thomas Nicolson, 1799?] Includes manuscript corrections by Wythe.

• Wythe, George. Between William Yates and Sarah his wife, plaintiffs, and Abraham Salle, Bernard Markham, Edward Moseley, Benjamin Harris, and William Wager Harris, Defendents. (Richmond, VA: Printed by Thomas Nicolson, 1796?) Bound with other Wythe titles which include his manuscript corrections.

• Wythe, George. Case upon the Statute for Distribution. Richmond, VA: Printed by Thomas Nicolson, 1796. Includes manuscript corrections by Wythe.

• Wythe, George. Love against Donelson and Hodgson. (Richmond, VA: Printed by Thomas Nicolson, 1801?) Includes manuscript corrections by Wythe.

• Wythe, George. A Report of the Case between Field and Harrison, Determined by the High Court of Chancery, in Which the Decree was Reversed by the Court of Appeals. Richmond, VA: Printed by Thomas Nicolson, 1796. Includes manuscript corrections by Wythe.

• Wythe, George. Between William Fowler and Susanna His Wife, Plaintiffs, and, Lucy Saunders, an Infant, by James A. Patterson, Her Guardian, Defendent; Between Parke Goodall and John Clough, Plaintiffs, and, John Bullock, the Younger, Defendent. (Richmond, VA: Printed by Thomas Nicolson, 1798?) Bound with other Wythe titles which include his manuscript corrections.

• Wythe, George. Decisions of Cases in Virginia, by the High Court of Chancery. Richmond, VA: Printed by Thomas Nicolson, 1795. Includes marginal notes by Wythe.

Inscribed to Wythe

• Call, Daniel. Reports of Cases Argued and Adjudged in the Court of Appeals of Virginia. Richmond, VA: Printed by Thomas Nicholson, 1801. Includes autograph presentation inscription from the author to George Wythe.

• Tatham, William. Report of a Case Decided on Saturday the 16th of November 1793, in the General Court of Virginia wherein Peter Kamper was Plaintiff, Against Mary Hawkins, Defendant, on a Question Adjourned from the District Court of Dumfries, for Novelty and Difficulty, Touching the Constitutionality of an Act of Assembly ... Philadelphia: Printed for A. M'Kenzie, & Co. ... by W.W. Woodward ..., 1794. Includes label on the cover "Chancellor Wythe"; presentation inscription from author to Wythe.

Library of Virginia

Includes Wythe signature

• Virginia. Laws, etc. (Session laws: 1776 Oct.). At a General Assembly, begun and held at the capitol, in the city of Williamsburg, on Monday the seventh day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy six, and in the first year of the Commonwealth. Williamsburg: Printed by Alexander Purdie, printer to the Commonwealth, 1776.

• Virginia. Laws, etc. (Session laws: 1779 May). Acts passed at a General Assembly: Begun and held at the Capitol, in the City of Williamsburg, on Monday the third day of May, in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Nine.. Williamsburg: Printed by John Dixon and Thomas Nicholson, 1779.

• Virginia. Laws, etc. (Session laws: 1780 May). Acts passed at a General Assembly: begun and held in the town of Richmond, on Monday, the first day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty. Richmond: Printed by John Dixon and Thomas Nicolson, 1780.

Monticello Foundation, Jefferson Library

Includes Wythe's bookplate

• Homer. The Iliad of Homer. Translated by Alexander Pope, Esq. London: Printed for Henry Lintot, 1750. [Volume I only, also has signatures of Ellen Wayles Randolph and George Wythe Randolph.]

Mount Gulian Historic Site, Hudson Valley, New York

Includes Wythe's bookplate

• Virgil. P. Virgilii Maronis Bucolica, Georgica, et Aeneis. Ex recensione Alexandri Cuningamii Scoti. Edinburgi: Apud G. Hamilton & J. Balfour, 1743. [Also includes a list of references to Homer and marginalia in Wythe's hand.]

Private collections

Includes Wythe bookplate

• Coke, Edward. The Reports of Sir Edward Coke, kt. In English, in Thirteen Parts Compleat; (With References to All the Ancient and Modern Books of the Law.). London: In the Savoy, Printed by E. and R. Nutt, and R. Gosling, for R. Gosling, 1738. [Volumes IV only. Also inscribed on inside of front board: "Given by Thos. Jefferson to D. Carr, 1806."]

Includes Wythe signature

• Locke, John. An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding. London: Printed for Awnsham and John Churchil ... and Samuel Manship, 1700. [Signed on title page: George Wythe. Includes list of garden seeds in Wythe's hand.]

University of Virginia, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library

Includes Wythe's bookplate

• Gilbert, Geoffrey, Sir. Reports of Cases in Equity, Argued and Decreed in the Courts of Chancery and Exchequer, Chiefly in the Reign of King George I. By a Late Learned Judge. To Which are Added Some Select Cases in Equity, Heard and Determined in the Court of Exchequer in Ireland. London: In the Savoy, Printed by H. Lintot for D. Browne, J. Shuckburgh, 1742. 2nd ed. [Also inscribed on inside of front board: "Given by Thos. Jefferson to D. Carr, 1806."]

• Hale, Matthew, Sir. Historia Placitorum Coronæ. The History of the Pleas of the Crown. 2 vols. London: Printed by E. and R. Nutt, and R. Gosling for F. Gyles ... [et al.], 1736. [Also inscribed on inside of front board of volume one: "Given by Thos. Jefferson to D. Carr, 1806."]

• The Holy Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments. Oxford: Thomas Baskett, 1754. [Includes manuscript note, "The Bible belonged to George Wythe, bequeathed by him to Thomas Jefferson, given by Thomas Jefferson to his grand-daughter Cornelia Jefferson Randolph, bequeathed by her to her niece Martha Jefferson Trist, given by her to her son, Nicholas Philip Trist Burke, Alexandria, Va., after his death given to the University of Virginia by Martha Jefferson Burke, Alexandria, Va., July 4, 1912."]

• Homer. Homeri Ilias, Græce et Latine. Annotationes in Usum Serenissimi Principis Guilelmi Augusti, Ducis de Cumberland. Edited by Samuel Clarke. 3rd edition. Londini: 1740. [Bookplate in volume I only.]

Inscribed by Wythe

• Atkyns, John Tracy. Reports of Cases Argued and Determined in the High Court of Chancery, in the Time of Lord Chancellor Hardwicke: Collected and Methodized by John Tracy Atkyns ... with Notes and References, and Three Tables; One of the Several Titles with Their Divisions, Another of the Names of the cases, and a Third of the Principal Matters. London: Printed by H. Woodfall and W. Strahan, 1765. [Includes note: "Given by Thos. Jefferson to D. Carr 1806, and by D. Carr to Jon. B. Carr in 1836 & by him to G.W. Randolph in 1846 & by him to R.G.H. Kean in 1867," with marginal notes by Wythe.]

• Barthélemy, J.J. Travels of Anacharsis the Younger in Greece, During the Middle of the Fourth Century before the Christian Æra. London : G.G. and J. Robinson, 1796. [Vol. 1 signed by Thomas M. Randolph. Includes marginal notes by Wythe.]

• Wythe, George. Decisions of Cases in Virginia, by the High Court of Chancery. Richmond, VA: Printed by Thomas Nicolson, 1795. [Wythe's personal copy, inherited Thomas Jefferson. Includes marginal notes by Wythe, and an "Appendix" of footnotes to Greek and Latin classics, written by Henry Clay.]

University of Virginia, Arthur J. Morris Law Library

Includes Wythe's bookplate

• Bacon, Francis. The Works of Francis Bacon, Baron of Verulam, Viscount St. Alban, Lord High Chancellor of England ... With Several Additional Pieces, Never Before Printed in any Edition of His Works. London: A. Millar, 1740. [Vol. 2 only, with signatures of J.M. Randolph, and John H. Peyton.]

• Moore, Francis, Sir. Cases Collect & Report per Sir Fra. Moore, Chivalier. 2nd ed. London: Printed for G. Pawlet, and are to be sold by Mat. Wotton, 1688. [Contains a handwritten note between pp. 208-209, "This Book has 'George Wythe' book plate in it," but the volume was rebound and the bookplate separated.]

Virginia Historical Society

Includes Wythe’s bookplate

• Jones, Sir William. Les Reports de Sir William Jones, chevalier, Jades un Des Justices del' Banck le Roy, et Devant un des Justices del' Court de Common-Banck et Devant Capital Justice d'Ireland de Divers Special Cases cy Bien in le Court de Banck le Roy, come le Common-Banck in Angleterre: cy Bien en le Darreign Temps del' Reign de Roy Jaques, come en l'Anns de Roy Charles I: Queux Fueront Adjudge en les Dits Courts en le Temps en que il Fuit Judge en Ceux. London: Printed by T.R. and N.T. for Thomas Basset and Richard Chiswel, 1675.

See also

• Jefferson Inventory
• George Wythe's bookplate
• Wythe's Library