Dartmouth Alum Gifts First Edition of The Federalist to the Libraries

Dartmouth Alum Gifts First Edition of The Federalist to the Libraries

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June 12, 2026
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book The Federalist stands on the Ticknor Room table in Rauner Library

Ensuring Long-Term Preservation and Access to a Rare Historic Book

Thirty-six years ago, Allison Dunlop Keenan ‘93 completed her first year at Dartmouth. Her grandfather, Robert G. Dunlop, celebrated Allison’s achievement with a rare and unique gift. In the accompanying letter, he wrote, “In light of your scholastic attainments, you may wish to have this first edition of The Federalist Papers published in 1788 for your personal library. The Federalist is a collection of essays written primarily by James Madison and Alexander Hamilton in support of the constitution of our country. These documents, possibly more than any other, were responsible for the ratification of the Constitution by the respective states.” Allison recounts how she didn’t “fully appreciate the value of his gift” as an 18-year-old, but “I knew how much my grandfather valued education and how proud he was that I was attending Dartmouth.” Allison stored his gift in a safe until now.

 

The Federalist Papers

Given 2026 is the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, receiving a gift fundamental to the formation of U.S. federal governance is not only fortuitous, it’s also incredibly generous. For Allison, the timing of her gift, while unintentional, makes it all the “more special.” In the words of Darrin M. McMahon, the David W. Little Class of 1944 Professor of History at Dartmouth and Chair of the Department of History, “What an extraordinary gift for Dartmouth to receive!” We couldn’t agree more. 

sale note on left, cover of book, and spine view of The Federalist Papers

But what is The Federalist, and what makes it a critical piece of U.S. history? A year after the American Colonies gained independence from Great Britain, state leaders were choosing whether or not to ratify what would become the United States Constitution. Four states were fundamental to ensuring a positive result: Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. The governor of New York at the time presented a challenge, being against it. 

The fact that we have a constitution in the United States today is largely due to the work of the authors of The Federalist Papers—James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton. They knew how to sell the constitution to a skeptical public, and in the process of doing so, created America’s greatest work of political theory.

Darrin M. McMahon, the David W. Little Class of 1944 Professor of History at Dartmouth and Chair of the Department of History

To sway New Yorkers toward pro-Constitution ideals, Alexander Hamilton enlisted John Jay and James Madison to write and publish essays in two large-circulation New York State newspapers, The New York Packet and The Independent Journal. All combined, the three men authored 85 essays across 1787 and 1788. Their works were reprinted across smaller papers statewide, covering the following themes: 

  • the structure of republican government, 
  • the separation of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, 
  • and the importance of checks and balances to prevent any one branch from overpowering the others.

Their essays also discussed states’ rights and the idea of safeguarding individual liberties at the state level. In March and May 1788, publishing firm J. & A. McLean bound the essays as a book titled The Federalist: A Collection of Essays, Written in Favour of the New Constitution, as Agreed upon by the Federal Convention, September 17, 1787. By the 19th century, the collected works were commonly referred to as The Federalist Papers.

I am so grateful that Dartmouth can preserve this first edition of The Federalist, and it will be available for others to enjoy.

Allison Dunlop Keenan ‘93
from left Brian Keenan, Allison Dunlop Keenan '93, Kathy Dunlop and Richard Dunlop

Allison Dunlop Keenan '93, middle left, with her husband, Brian Keenan, left, and her mother and father, Kathy Dunlop and Richard Dunlop

A Lasting Impact at Dartmouth

When Allison rediscovered her copy of The Federalist, she and her father, Richard G. Dunlop, spoke at length about what to do with it. They agreed it needed to be in an educational institution. She thought of honoring the Dunlop family's strong ties with the University of Pennsylvania, her grandfather's, father's, and mother's alma mater. However, Richard offered a counterpoint: “Granddad gave the book to you when you were at Dartmouth. You should give it to Dartmouth.” Allison did just that.

Among the multitude of ways that alumni, parents, and friends give back to Dartmouth, gifts-in-kind offer a unique opportunity for donors to make a lasting impact on the Dartmouth community, and, says Allison, “the library is the perfect place to share this [book] with others.” Thanks to Allison's generous gift, the Dartmouth Libraries gain a truly remarkable piece of history that will expand Dartmouth’s ability to bring the past to life for its students.

This kind of gift says so much about who our alumni are. They don't just feel connected to Dartmouth—they want to make it better for the students who come after them.

Ann Root Keith, Chief Advancement Officer

This first edition of The Federalist will not be tucked away in a seldom-visited vault. Instead, it will become the newest addition to Dartmouth’s extensive archive and a tangible resource for Dartmouth students and faculty to engage with our nation’s history. 

“This kind of gift says so much about who our alumni are. They don't just feel connected to Dartmouth—they want to make it better for the students who come after them, and in doing so, help us fulfill our mission of connecting the next generation of leaders to the lessons of history,” says Chief Advancement Officer Ann Root Keith.

 

Stewarding a Rare Book

Upon seeing pictures of Allison's edition of The Federalist, Jay Satterfield, Head of Rauner Library Special Collections & Archives, was astounded, saying, “It is an extremely rare and important book.”

inside pages from a first edition of The Federalist Papers, including handwritten articles of ammendments

While the Libraries steward another copy of The Federalist, Allison’s copy was particularly intriguing for Jay from a historical perspective and for its potential to enhance teaching and research. Specifically, the original owner added the first 12 amendments to the Constitution to the end of the book in manuscript, making this edition unique. Those handwritten additions also stood out for Allison, who “was particularly taken by the handwritten portions of the manuscript.” Jay also noted that the book’s binding and condition indicated that the original owner was deeply invested in it.

This is an amazingly generous gift that poses questions about the original owner and the public’s engagement in the debates surrounding the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. We can hardly wait to use it in class.

Jay Satterfield, Head of Rauner Library Special Collections & Archives

This July 4, the United States of America will be 250 years old. Allison’s gifting The Federalist to Dartmouth occurs at a momentous time in the country’s history. If you’re interested in browsing through and reading this beautiful edition or want to include it in your curriculum or research, request to view it in the Rauner Library Reading Room. Our special collections and archives are most meaningful when you use them! 

 

 

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