The Mathew Carey Papers consist of receipts, bills, memoranda, invoices, bills of lading, and other records of his publishing business and its successors: Carey, Lea, and Company; and Lea and Blanchard. Mathew Carey (1760-1839), publisher, economist, and humanitarian, was born in Dublin, Ireland. He came to America in 1784 after involvement in Irish revolutionary activities and took up his trade as a printer, publishing the Pennsylvania Herald and the periodical, The American Museum. His book publishing ventures prospered and his firm was a leader in American printing and publishing in the period 1795 to 1835. Carey was an active proponent of the protective tariff, as well as an ardent champion of oppressed minorities in Europe, especially after his retirement from business in 1821. His business was thereafter conducted by his son, Henry C. Carey (1793-1879).