St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1899-01-04
Death of Arthur M. Knapp.

news was received mere last WeOneS'
day OF the death at his home in Roston
OF Arthur M. Knapp. librarian of Bates
Hall in the Boston Public Library. He
was stricken with paralysis few weeks
ago, as result of an attack of the grip.
Comparatively few now living in this
town had opportunity to know the per-
sonal worth and public services OF Libra
rian Knapp of Boston, recently deceased,
whose name has for many years been an
honor to his native town.
Arthur Mason Knapp was born in
Fairbanks Village, Aug. 8, 1s39-in the
small house first on the right going west
from Fairbanks office. and which origi.
nally stood where the office now is. His
father, Hiram Knapp, was Tor many
years bookkeeper in the "old counting
room" of E. and T. Fairbanks and Co.,
man of quiet presence, strength of char
acter and intelligence; his mother,
Sophronia Brown Knapp, still living at
the age of 81 years, is sister of E. F.
Brown of this place.
Arthur Knapp was from the first a
gentle, sweet. spirited lad whom every
body liked and trusted; playful, studious
and correct after most natural, modest
fashion. st. Johnsbury Academy has
always valued his name on her roll, and
his own interest in the school to which
he contributed marked character and
scholarship, continued through life. His
family having removed to Boston in
| 1855 he enterrd Boston Latin School from
which he graduated with highest honors.
Alter tour years at Harvard, and twelve
| as classical instructor at Auburn and
Brooki;ne he came to his important posi-
tion in Boston Public Library, which for
twenty,four years he has graced with
ripe scholarship, generous devotion and
most courteous attention to visitors and
and patrons. He will long be remem
photography, his quiet facility in direct
ing the research of students, his delicate
humor, and genial spirit.
MIR. Knapp was rarely absent from hi.
post even tor vacation: but he nevel
reckoned his year we'll rounded without
an August run up to St. Johnsbury. tt
visit his boyhood haunts and look into
the faces of old friends and playmates
also keep up acquaintance with our edu
cational Institutions. St. Johnsburv ha
cause tor just pride that she could Civ
to the Gil yui bosnou a son wh(se modest
could not always hide his superio
worth, and whose loss we, with so man
in that city, are mourning today.
E. T. F.
The following appreciative biograph
ical tribute is taken from the Bostol
Herald of Dec. 20;
He was a graduate of Harvard, clas
OF 63, and was classmate of the lat
ex-Gov. Greenhalge, John Fiske, the his
torian; ex-Secretary OF the Treasury {
S. Fairchild and F. l., Higginson. H
was born in St. Johnsbury, VT, Aug. s
1899, and prepared for college in tn
Boston Latin school. After leavin,
Harvard he taught the classics an,
mathematics at Philips Exeter Academ,
and at the Brookline high school.
On Jan. 81. 1875, he joined the Publ
Library staff. at first as curator O
periodicals and pamphlets. beside wha
are called the cabinet" books in tn
Barton and Prince libraries-large folio
in curious aud rare bindings, dear to tn
bibliophile. He catalogued the Bartol
library of Shakesperiana, and acquired
in the work taste for research II
Shakespeare's doings that endured t.
his death. He was married in 1875 t
Miss Abby Bartlett, who died in 1876.
In 1878 he was placed in charge q
Bates Hall, and became probably tn
best known parsonage to the genera
public around the library. He was
target for all sorts OF questions on ever.
conceivable subject. and was rarely a
loss Tor satisfactory response. IL
united a patient and courteous manner
a gift for research and knowledge @
the resources OF the great library tina
made him an invaluable aid to tn
student anxious to explore its riches
His place developed unique variety c
talent, which could perhaps be genera
lied as knowledge Of books, though h
sedulousy avoided desultory habit b.
thoroughly working up few specialize:
He became a profound student of earl
Elizabethan literature, largely as on
result of his studies in Shakespeare. II
had always kept up i'll genealogy lon
before it had attained its present vogue
and was one of the recognized author
ties in that curious field OF research.
Aside from these subjects, he had
necessity some sort OF Information /
almost every branch of knowledge, an
in very many had great deal, tt
countless questions showered upon hlr
in his daily work compelling delving
both familiar and out otthe-way lines
Authors working up period in the'
work, students looking tor clew to tn
latest in their branches. stage peot'
seeking points on costume, artist
searching for historical motifs" al
samples of the varied sorts OF people b
had TO meet. all OF whom were sc
agoing satisfactorily and, it time served
were often buried in an embarrassment
OF riches.