Burt Bacharach, a renowned composer and songwriter known for his impactful contributions to music in the 20th century, is set to have his collection of papers donated to the Library of Congress.
This donation, made by Bacharach’s widow, Jane Bacharach, was publicly announced by the Library of Congress in a statement released on Thursday.

The collection features an extensive array of music scores, including an arrangement of “The Look of Love,” as well as musical sketches for iconic songs such as “Alfie” and “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head.”
Bacharach’s unique and memorable melodies captivated audiences throughout the 1960s and 70s with hits like “Walk on By,” “Do You Know the Way to San Jose,” and “Close to You,” among many others.
Tragically, Bacharach passed away at the age of 94 last year.

Jane Bacharach shared her rationale for choosing the Library of Congress for this gift, stating that the institution honored both Burt Bacharach and his songwriting collaborator Hal David with the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song in 2012.
Bacharach held this distinction in high regard, placing it above all his other achievements.
This marks a historic moment as it is the first time the library has obtained a collection from one of its Gershwin Prize recipients.

In her statement, Jane Bacharach expressed pride in the donation, noting that her late husband dedicated immense passion to his music, and that the Library would allow others to experience and appreciate his lasting legacy.
The collection is expected to be available for research purposes beginning in the summer of 2025.

Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress, emphasized the library’s pride in taking on the responsibility of preserving Bacharach’s musical contributions.
She expressed hopes that future generations would find inspiration in both his creativity and his distinctly American musical genius.
Bacharach’s papers will add to a prestigious roster of manuscripts at the library, which includes works by renowned composers such as Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin, George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lerner and Loewe, Billy Strayhorn, Leonard Bernstein, and Henry Mancini.