Snowy winter days have given many of us the perfect reason to cozy up indoors with a good book. If you’re looking for reading inspiration, this item from the NHS archives might do the trick: a ‘List of Books in William Hunter’s Office, January 1, 1810.’
William Hunter, son of Debora Malbone Hunter and prominent Newport physician Dr. William Hunter, was a United States Senator, diplomat, and one-time owner of Newport’s ‘Hunter House’. This listing of the books in his office is dated to the year before Hunter’s election to the Senate in 1811. Hunter’s 130 item list ranges vastly in subject matter, and includes works such as Adam Smith’s ‘The Wealth of Nations,’ eight volumes of Shakespeare, as well as poetry by Robert Southey.
Happy reading!
‘List of Books in William Hunter’s Office, January 1st, 1810.’ Box 15, Folder 12, Collection of the Newport Historical Society.