Presidential Papers

The Manuscript Division holds the personal papers of 23 U.S. Presidents. The collections are vast and contain materials relating to many different topics. The following includes a sample of materials relating to LGBTQ+ topics from presidential papers, compiled in part with the use of secondary sources.

The following collection titles link to fuller bibliographic information in the Library of Congress Online Catalog. Links to additional online content, including finding aids for the collections, are included when available.

Thomas Jefferson papers
Published/Created: 1606-1943 (bulk 1775-1826)
Of particular interest among the papers of Thomas Jefferson are materials relating to Bill 64, "A Bill for Proportioning Crimes and Punishment in Cases Heretofore Capital," Jefferson's involvement with the Committee of Revisors, and materials relating to the colonial Virginia Thomas(ine) Hall case of an intersex person.
George Washington papers
Published/Created: 1592-1943 (bulk 1748-1799)
Of particular interest are materials related to Lieutenant Frederick Gotthold Enslin.

[Mary Edwards Walker, 1832-1919, full length portrait, standing, facing slightly right; holding umbrella; in top hat and tails]. 1912. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

Thomas Jefferson Papers. Series 8, Virginia Records, Virginia General Court, 1622-1629, Cases, with Minutes. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.

George Washington. George Washington Papers, Series 3, Varick Transcripts, 1775-1785, Subseries 3G, General Orders, 1775-1783, Letterbook 3: Jan. 1, 1778 - Dec. 31, 1778. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.

Mary Edwards Walker manuscripts

Correspondence of Mary Edwards Walker, physician, social reformer, advocate of dress reform and women's suffrage, may be found in several presidential collections. Walker often wore clothing made for men.

Grover Cleveland papers
Published/Created: 1743-1945 (bulk 1885-1908)
James A. Garfield papers
Published/Created: 1775-1889 (bulk 1850-1881)
Benjamin Harrison papers
Published/Created: 1780-1948 (bulk 1853-1901)
William McKinley Papers
Published/Created: circa 1847-1935 (bulk 1897-1901)
Woodrow Wilson papers
Published/Created: 1786-1957 (bulk 1876-1924)

LGBTQ+ Resources in the Manuscript Division of the Library of Congress

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Presidential Papers

[Mary Edwards Walker, 1832-1919, full length portrait, standing, facing slightly right; holding umbrella; in top hat and tails]. 1912. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

Thomas Jefferson Papers. Series 8, Virginia Records, Virginia General Court, 1622-1629, Cases, with Minutes. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.

George Washington. George Washington Papers, Series 3, Varick Transcripts, 1775-1785, Subseries 3G, General Orders, 1775-1783, Letterbook 3: Jan. 1, 1778 - Dec. 31, 1778. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.

Mary Edwards Walker manuscripts