Cornell University, the Medical Library, 1898-1921 & the Van Cleef Memorial Library, 1921-1939 : with reports by the Librarian and other documents

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: 13-7-1177

Scope and content

Brief typewritten history of the Medical Library and the Van Cleef Memorial Library, followed by reports, correspondence, and also minutes of the Van Cleef Library Committee. Correspondents include University President Livingston Farrand, University Librarian Willard Austen, B.F. Kingsbury, Simon Henry Gage, and others.

Dates

1921-1939.

Creator

Gage, Simon Henry, 1851-1944 (Compiler, Person)
Farrand, Livingston, 1867-1939. (Person)
Austen, Willard. (Person)
Kingsbury, B. F. (Benjamin Freeman), 1872-1946. (Person)

Language of Material

In English.

Biographical / Historical

The Medical Library was the library for anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, histology, embryology, and medicine at Cornell University. It began with gifts of books and periodicals by faculty, local physicians, and others, together with about 400 volumes purchased by the University Library. Located in Stimson Hall once that building was completed in 1900-1901, the Medical Library was known by that name until 1921, when it was renamed in memory of Charles Edward Van Cleef (Class of 1871), the brother of donor Mynderse Van Cleef (Class of 1874). As of 1939, the library contained 3,167 volumes. Professor B.F. Kingsbury served as its librarian from 1921-1923, and Professor Emeritus Simon Henry Gage served in that role from 1923-1940. The Van Cleef Library Committee, which administered the library in cooperation with the librarian, consisted of the University President and several faculty members.