Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-04
JOHN RUSSELL YOUNG.
Biographical Sketch Prepared by
Mr.. Putnam, Librarian of Congress-.

Biographical Sketch Prepared by
Mr.. Putnam, Librarian of Congress.
Mr.. Herbert Putnam, librarian of Con-
gress, says in his annual report, which APP
pears in another column, regarding his
predecessor, John Russell Young: Il had
not the advantage of personal acquaintance
with Mr.. Young, with the library under
his mana cement; SO that 1 am not in po-
sition to pay here the just tribute to the
enthusiasm, learning and geniality of char
acter which it was the fortune of his init
mates to enjoy. l may, however bear wit
ness to the evidence of high intention for
the institution which is manifest in the rec
ords which he left befind him. 1t is GER
tanly proper that biographical sketch of
Mr.. Young's career as a whole should APP
pear in this report when printed; and one
is appended, which, though necessarily
brief in compass, embodles the essential
facts"
The following is the biographical sketch
to which reference is made:
John Russell Young was born on a farm
near DOwningtOWn, Pa, in 1871, He re-
ceivcd his elementary education, however,
at the Harrison Grammar School in Ken
sington his father having removed thither
in 1S43. He graduated from the Philadel-
phia High School and took a special course
in the high school at New Orleans, a dill
gent student and always a favorite Of his
even then manifested by His editorshp of a
little school paper issued by the pupils. In
1886, on returning to Philadelphia, he began
his newspaper career as Il copyholder on
the Philadelphia Press under John W. For
ney. He was then sixteen years old. From
copyholder he advanced to the position of
reporter, and before he became Of age was
an editorial contributor. Col FOrney being
elected secretary of the United States Sem
ate, took Mr.. Young with him TO Washing
ton as his private secretary. While acting
hot aft
to write for the Press, as, indeed, he did
throughout the whole of his subsequent
career down to the time of his appointment
as librarian Of Congress. At the outbreak
of the civil war Mr. Young was, upon his
request, assigned to duty at the front as a
war correspondent for the Press. He Joined
the Army of the Potomac just prior to the
battle of Bull Run and was an observer of
many of the most important Of the military
operations, including the Red River cam
paign of Gen. Banks, whose military family
he Joined and accompanied in April, 1864.
Meantime he had returned to Philadel-
phia and assumed the position Of managing
editor of the Press. At the close of the war
he founded the Philadelphia Evening Star,
of which for many years he remained the
proprietor
"In 1860 he left the Press to accept a
position with the house of Jay Cooke & Co.
in New York, where his experience as a
journalist was of service in arousing popu-
lar interest in the loan for the aid of the
government. He became d member OF the
serving in that capacity from 1865 to 1860;
in 1866 being appointed by Horace Greeley
managing editor, to succeed Sidney How
ard Gay. Mr.. Young then but twenty
five years old. In the meantime, studying
law, he was in 1861 admitted to the bar.
I'm 1870 he went abroad at the request
of the then Secretary of The Treasury in
the interest Of some of the governments
financial measures. In 1872, having accept
ed editorial position on the New York
Herald, he went abroad III its interest, re
nj in D-;..
France, Germany and Spain. His TespOn-
sbility included the charge of the foreign
news service of the Herald
1T was during his residence in London
in 1877 that Mr.. Young was invited 10y
Gen. Grant to accompany him on his tour
around the world. This journey, concluded
in 1879, was described by Mr.. Young in
series of articles later, published III two
volumes, entitled around the World with
Gen. Grant" In China Mr. Young be,ame
particularly intimate with Ii Hung Chang
who. pursued the friendship later both IN
China and at Mr.. Youns's own home in
Philadelphia.
Between 1879 and 1882 Mr. Young re-
sumed his literary and journalistic pur-
suits, becoming again editorial con-
tributor to the New York Herald and to
other papers ana magazines. In 1882 he
sent minister to China, remaining
there until the close of the administration
of President Arthur In 1885. In this lat
ter year he returned to London as editor
of the English edition of the New York
Herald, a position which he retained until
1890 when he returned to his work on the
New York edition. During this, as in other
periods of his journalistic career, his con-
tributionS upon current politics, as, for in
stance, the work of the party conventions,
were notable, his intimacy with public
men, the confidence in which he held
by party leaders, giving him a knowledge
that enabled him not merely TO report with
accuracy the facts of current politics, but
also to estimate with unusual accuracy the
trend and purpose of political movements.
under a "a
executive staff of the Philadelphia and
Reading Railway Company, he was ap-
pointed fourth and afterward fifth vice
president, holding this position for year.
He one of the founders of the Union
League of Philadelphia. became in 1891 enc
of its directors and in 1893 and 1894 served
it as president
I'm 1897 he appointed by President
Mckinley librarian of Congress. He took
| office on July l, 1897, and was the chief
executive of the library until his death,
January II, 1899. At the date of his ap-
pointment the library building was COM
pleted but the transfer of the collections
from the Capitol was yet to be undertaken.
His first duty was to supervise this trans
fer, the installation of the material in the
new building, and the reorganization of the
staff for the larger service there. The
staff, which in the whole library had con-
sisted of but forty-two employees, was, by
act of Congress, to become JOS. exclusive
! of engineers. janitors and other employees
having to do with the and mainte-
nance of the building and grounds, and
| under the direct charge of the superintend-
ent of the building. All of the additional
appointments to the library service proper
provided for in the new reorganization
were made by MIR. Young.
Under Mr.. Youngs administration the
copyright, map. manuscript, music and
print collections dhe latter designated by
him the graphic artsD were set off in dis
t:nct departments, and entirely new
department, the reading room for the blind
was established and retained his warm
interest. lie had projected also a reading