Collection Description
The Isaac Bassett Manuscript Collection spans much of Bassett’s long career as an employee of the U.S. Senate from 1831 to 1895, providing an unparalleled view into the institution during the 19th century. The papers consist of approximately 10 linear feet of notes, anecdotes, newspaper clippings, and personal observations that Bassett saved. He intended to use these to write a memoir of his Senate experiences, which he hoped would be published posthumously.
Although Bassett never completed or published his memoir, his papers were preserved by his family and eventually donated to the Senate. Acquired in 1996, the collection is administered by the U.S. Senate Commission on Art (Acc. No. 11.00018.000) and maintained by the Center for Legislative Archives at the National Archives and Records Administration (Record Group 46). The Center for Legislative Archives is charged with preserving the historical records of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. Digital copies of the collection, accompanied by subject and name indexes prepared by the Office of Senate Curator, are available on the Center for Legislative Archives’ website.
Biography of Isaac Bassett
Isaac Bassett (1819–1895) began his Senate career in December 1831, at the age of 12, when he was appointed by Senator Daniel Webster to serve as a page. Bassett's father, Simeon Bassett, was a Senate messenger at the time, and young Isaac frequently accompanied him to the U.S. Capitol. Promoted to messenger in 1838 and to assistant doorkeeper in 1861, Isaac Bassett worked in the Senate Chamber, attending nearly every legislative session until his death in 1895. He was deeply esteemed by senators and fellow employees alike for his discreet, faithful, and dedicated service.
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