Library of Congress officials yesterday announced a $60 million gift from longtime University benefactor John W. Kluge. The donation is the largest gift the institution has received in its 200-year history.
Kluge, who is not a University alumnus, has given $13.7 million to the University in the past. His gift to the Library of Congress, which will add to his history of philanthropic endeavors, will establish the John W. Kluge Center in the Library of Congress and an annual prize in human sciences, also in his name.
The Center will be located in the Library's Thomas Jefferson Building and will support five endowed chairs and 10 endowed fellowships for young scholars, covering broad topics such as American law and governance and technology and society.
In a statement, Librarian of Congress James H. Billington said the Jefferson building's accessibility to Washington politicians will benefit both lawmakers and scholars.
"The Library has an unprecedented opportunity to help revive within that building this traditional American interaction between thinkers and doers," Billington said.
The award in human sciences will offer an annual $1 million prize for categories not eligible for the prestigious Nobel Prize, such as history and anthropology.
At yesterday's press conference announcing the gift, members of the Joint Congressional Committee on the Library said they were excited about the opportunities the additional funding will provide.
"I express our gratitude for the support our library has received from the private sector," Joint Committee Chairman Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) said.
Stevens noted the gift will allow the Library to acquire priceless collections in the future.
This donation is far from Kluge's first foray into philanthropic activities. He has donated funds to the University, including those to support the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection, the Kluge Children's Rehabilitation Center and the University Medical Center, University spokeswoman Louise Dudley said.
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