Legacy LibraryBenjamin Rush

Will; Philadelphia County, PA Probate Records (dated 18 January 1812)

Probate inventory; Philadelphia County, PA Probate Records (taken 18 June 1813)

Manuscript catalog; Library Company of Philadelphia (c. 1790)

Auction catalog; Books from the library of Dr. Benjamin Rush, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and of Hon. Richard Rush, Minister from the United States to the Court of London, and from the library of the late Mrs. Catherine Rush Camac of Philadelphia and from other sources ...: to be sold Monday afternoon, June 25th, 1923. Philadelphia, PA: Stan. V. Henkels, (1923). Copy sought

Auction lot; http://www.pbagalleries.com/search/it... (Bonhams, 28 March 2013)

Will: Stipulates that Rush's wife Lydia is to receive "an hundred volumes of my library to be selected by herself, to be given during her life, or bequeathed at her death, to such of my children or grandchildren as she may deem proper." The will further stipulates "I bequeath to my son Dr James Rush all my library (excepting one hundred volumes before devised to my wife) for which he shall be charged as part of his share of my estate one thousand dollars, also my ... manuscripts, letters, diploma and medal at my death ... Should any profit arise from the publication and sale of my manuscripts, it is my will that it be added to my estate and divided at the time, and in the manner aforesaid among my children and the lawful issue of such of them as may die before me." 

Probate inventory: Does not list books, but includes "Library" in the room listing, and enumerates furniture within

Thomas Sydenham, The Works of Thomas Sydenham, M.D. Philadelphia, (1809). "... on front endpaper 'Dr. Hosack, From his friend, the Editor' (B. Rush), signed by Hosack on title page; inside front cover is certificate concerning a sum of money 'is really and bona fide the property of Dickinson College' signed by Rush. Austin 1845. Rittenhouse Book Store 62-295 1988 $1,500." BPI 37:1035.