November 6, 2014–January 19, 2015

This exhibition commemorates the 800th anniversary of the creation of Magna Carta, the charter of liberties that England’s King John granted to his barons in 1215 in order to halt their rebellion and restore their allegiance to his throne.  While in its time Magna Carta secured only the rights of a privileged class of the king’s subjects, this exhibition traces the story of how this medieval charter, through centuries of interpretation and controversy, became an enduring symbol of liberty and the rule of law.

Magna Carta: Muse and Mentor has been organized by the Library of Congress in partnership with
Lincoln Cathedral—Bringing Magna Carta to the USA.

The exhibition is made possible by support from:

The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies and
1st Financial Bank USA,
as well as other generous donors

The exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities.

Exhibition Location

South Gallery, Second Floor, Thomas Jefferson Building