$300 million donation
Princeton University receives a donation of rare books and manuscripts worth $300 million from alumnus Scheide. The collection includes the first six printed editions of the Bible, the original printing of the Declaration of Independence, and an autographed speech by Abraham Lincoln. It is the largest donation in Princeton’s history.
Princeton President Christopher L. Eisgruber:
Through Bill Scheide’s generosity, one of the greatest collections of rare books and manuscripts in the world today will have a permanent home here. It will stand as a defining collection for Firestone Library and Princeton University. I cannot imagine a more marvelous collection to serve as the heart of our library. We are grateful for Bill Scheide’s everlasting dedication to Princeton and his commitment to sharing his breathtaking collection with scholars and students for generations to come.