Cyrus Adler and "The Jefferson Bible"
As a student at Johns Hopkins University in 1886, Cyrus Adler discovered in a private library two cut-up copies of the New Testament. An attached note stated that Jefferson used these volumes to create The Life and Morals of Jesus. Adler unsuccessfully attempted to find Jefferson's book. Years later, serving as the Smithsonian's librarian and curator of world religions, Adler renewed his search. In 1895 he purchased the book from Jefferson's great-granddaughter, Carolina Randolph, for $400. That year The Life and Morals was first publicly displayed under the title "Jefferson's Bible" and ever since it has been referred to as "The Jefferson Bible."