New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-21
Church in this place. and is graduate Of Drew in the
NORTHWESTERN.

THE GROWTH AND CHARACTER OF THE LIBRARY.
Evanston ILL.,, Dec. 20 (Specian.-The records DO
not show precisely what were the first beginnings OK
the library of the Northwestern University but the
library and the university nearly equal In age
The first circular of the university Qs5e mentions an
appropriation to be expended during the current wear
in books for library.' From that time until the
present the evolution Of the library has been gradual
but sure In 1885, Mr. Lunt established the orrington
Lunt Library Fund; In 1869, Mr.. Greeneaf gave the
books known as the Greenieaf Library In 1872, the
library OF the late Professor Henry S. Noyes was
purchased and added to the library in 1873. Messrs
Deering and Gage. presented portion of the library
of the late Oliver A. willard. Books have been added
every year by purchase. minor gifts have been made.
the library has become depository OF Government
publications, and 1t contains 24503 bound vol
umes and 10000 pamphlets The library is
largely used by the students They are allowed to
draw out books for use at their rooms, and seniors
are admitted 30 the shelves. Reference books and
current literature open shelves and tables In the
reading room. students aided in avaiing them
selves Of the large collections Of the Chicago Public
Library and the Newberry Library. Daniel Bonbright
L. D., classical graduate OF Yale College In the
class Of 1885, and since 1855 the professor Of the
Latin language and literature In the university has for
some years been chairman of the library committee
Miss Lodilla Ambrose, who has for four years been In
charge of the library, graduated from the North
western University in 1887, and three years later re-
ceved the degree Of master Of philosophy from the
same Institution. She is a member OF the American
Library Association.
William Deering and L. J. Gage, Of Chicago, the
donors Of the Willard books relating to local and State
history and political science, are well known in COM
mercia and financial circles Luther L. Greenleaf, Of
Evanston, In 1862 bought of bis heirs the library Of
the Hon. Johann Schulze member Of the Prusslan
Ministry Of Public Instruction. This collection OF
1000 volumes and 1000 pamphlets he presented to
the university and bears his name. 1t is rich in the
department Of classical philoiogy There are numer-
editions OF the prominent writers 0f Horace.
for example, there thirty, and the best
editions Of the later and less known writer's Some
ncunabula are found here, and the modern languages
also well represented. In the earlier days Mr..
Greeneaf was a citizen of Evanston and Chicago,
prominent In business and philanthropc enterprises.
The Chicago fire and some financial mishaps wiped out
his fortune. Broken in estate and health. he sub
sequently moved to Beloit Wis, where he died. NOvem
Der 22, 1885,
Chief among the benefactors of the library Is OrTng
ton Lunt. In 1865 he made to the university
1877 acres Of land in North Evanston, to be held and
known the oTngtOn Lunt endowment property.
The land at that time was worth about $4,000;
portion Of it sold for 81 800 and the remnant is
now valued at about $112, 900. The income from this
when converted into productive funds will be available
a tee psd e Sso o of "a 70 May
remained to its credit some expense account of the
hnu ndNlDg DeeD incurred. IN jury, 1871, Lunt
gave $4,000 toward new library building. Plans
for this sorely needed structure are being
sidered and the completion of the building will make
possible 10 move the library out Of its present crowded
quarters the third floor of University Hail. Mr..
Lunt is often called the "discoverer of Evanston
having been largely instrumental In locating Evanston
and its institutions the shore of Lake Michigan in
stead OF inland He has been closely connected with
the university and Garrett Biblical Institute from the
start He has always been one Of the trustees Of the
institute and It's secretary and treasurer. Always
Of the trustees OF the university. he has been
Der OF its executive committee from the first and since
1875, vice president Of its board OF trustees Mr..
Lunt was born in Bowdoinham, Me-, December "a.
1915 He was pioneer in the grain trade in Chicago.
His home is In Evanston and he is still doing business
in Chicago. his eye undimmed and his natural force
unabated even at seventysix years of age.