Since that 1956 publication, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation has most generously helped the Alderman Library of the University of Virginia collect as many of the books that appeared in that study as possible.
This present study, although perhaps technically a second edition of the earlier work, has been largely based on the books themselves now gathered together at the University. I am tempted to say, then, that this Work may in some sort be rather consider'd as an Original, than an Improvement, as Giacomo Leoni wrote about his own contributions to his splendid edition of Palladio (No. 92a). Certainly it has grown far beyond the bounds of the 1956 pamphlet.
It has been my purpose to give the reader not only accurate information about the books but also some knowledge of their structure and flavor so that it might be possible for him to form an idea of the architectural thought which surrounded Jefferson, who based his own architectural inspiration on them and who derived many of his architectural forms from them. Although architectural books and the architecture of the University of Virginia have been emphasized here, an emphasis peculiarly appropriate because of Jefferson's desire that the two should interact, the fine arts volumes also give us a glimpse of his background in painting and sculpture and, sometimes, a direct connection with his own collections.
It has seemed best to let the books speak for themselves. After a transcription of the title page, a physical description of each book, and background information about its authors, engravers, and subscribers, pertinent quotations from the books are inserted, for it was found that many of the authors gave very clear statements of their intentions and sometimes equally clear summaries of their theses. The quotations, in order not to weaken their impact, have been kept in their original languages.
Finally, the relationship between Jefferson, architecture, and the particular book is pointed out, a relationship which is inevitably closer in some cases than others. For this information no one can work today without consulting the writings of Fiske Kimball, the pioneer in the study of Jefferson's architecture, whose 1916 monograph has recently been reissued with an introduction by Frederick Doveton Nichols, and E. Millicent Sowerby's 1952-59 catalogue of the library Jefferson sold to Congress, a study which is so magnificently complete. Both have been acknowledged whenever used, and both appear frequently. One other source must be mentioned as being of the greatest help. Nichols's systematization of Jefferson's architectural drawings enormously simplifies problems of dating and identification. The completion of this work has been made possible through the award of one of the University of Virginia's Summer Research Fellowships. The staff of the Alderman Library of the University, and particularly that of its Rare Book Department, has been invariably kind. The late John Cook Wyllie, the curator of rare books before becoming Librarian of the University, was both mentor and friend; Francis L. Berkeley, Jr., a former curator of manuscripts, was an ideal guide during the early stages of my research; William Runge, the present curator of the Tracy W. McGregor Collection, continued the many helpful acts of Mr. Wyllie and Mr. Berkeley; and Julius P. Barclay, the present curator of rare books, has spurred the publication of this study with his enthusiasm and very great technical and administrative knowledge. I also wish to thank Judy Nelson and Cynthia Sinnott of the staff of the Rare Book Department for their suggestions, their editorial services, and their searches for obscure copies of the books cited. Pauline Page of the Graphic Communications Services of the library has made the photographic portion of this study a delight. William L. Beiswanger, of the staff of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation, has kindly supplied additional facts about Nos. 11, 81, 109, and 117, as well as arranging for the photographs needed from Monticello.
It remains only to thank Thomas Jefferson for having led me into such a fascinating path of research. To have read these titles was to gain an insight not only into Jeffersonian thought but also into the best architectural minds of the years before the opening of the University.
WILLIAMB. O'NEAL Charlottesville, Virginia January 1976