Peter Force
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Peter Force was a 19th century politician, archivist, historian, publisher and editor. Born 26 November 1790 near the Passaic Falls in New Jersey, to William, a soldier in the Revolutionary War and descendant of French Huguenots who arrived on America's shores in the 17th century, and Sarah Force (nee' Ferguson), Force grew up in New York City, where he was schooled in the printing trade. During the War of 1812, he served in the Army, eventually rising to the rank of lieutenant. Moving to Washington, D.C. three years later, Force returned to the printing business before turning his attention to politics, serving locally as councilman, alderman and mayor, all as a member of the newly founded Whig Party. Following his defeat for re-election in 1848, he returned to publishing and dedicated much of his life to archival work.
Peter Force's lifelong desire to establish an American national library finally came to fruition in 1867 when Congress purchased his own collection of Americana to found the Library of Congress. He died 23 January 1868 at the age of 77. His son, Manning Force, was an officer during the American Civil War.
