An anonymous descendant of Patrick Henry has made a substantial donation to Princeton's University Library, according to a university press notice. The gift endows "the Barksdale-Dabney-Henry Memorial Fund for Teaching and Research on Patrick Henry and Early Americana" and will also "be used to support public programs and library projects related to Henry and early American history - especially the Great Awakening, the Scottish Enlightenment in the American colonies and the Revolutionary War."
Some functions supported by the endowment include the cataloging and selective digitization of materials in Princeton's rare book and manuscript collections relating to early American history. Other uses will include "the preparation of course packs to support the Princeton curriculum in history, English, American studies and other areas; the acquisition of manuscripts, rare books, maps and other materials relating to Henry and his times; the creation of school-based educational programming to focus on colonial childhood and education; and the research and mounting of major library exhibitions."
