Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-06
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he wise generalship of the man in
charge of all. Few men in the country
have so large a personal acquaintance
with scientists and other learned men.
1t is told that when a man seeks en-
ployment from Mr.. Putnam he may
know at once what his chances are, for
the librarian of Congress is a man quick
at decision. A few years ago gentle
man sought Mr. Putnam to inquire as
20 the opportunities for joining his staff.
We need you.' was the reply made so
promptly that the man was surprised.
He had met MI Putnam only once. and
that most casually. but that was suffi-
cient to create n favorable impression,
and the favorable impression was Suf-
ticient to cause Mr. Putnam to inquire
as to- the mans ability, though at the
first meeting there was no hint of a
business interview.
MI Putnam acquired fame as libra
rian before he was called upon to sue
coed John Russell Young. in 1899. but
fame as an organizer as well. Perhaps
no later achievement of his has been
more notable than the part he took when
as librarian of the Minneapolis Athe-
neum he brought about the establish
ment of the Minneapolis Public Library
and the procurement of sufficient funds
for the undertaking.
X
Mr.. Putnam was born in New York Sep
tember %, 1861. and was educated at
ward University. where he graduated in
1883. He studied law at the Columbia
Law School. and went to Minneapolis to
practice. He became the librarian of the
atheneum. and after the public library
was established he was placed in charge
of that institution. He determined to re-
sumo the practice of law. however and
went to Boston for that purpose in 1891
The Boston Library managers altered his
plans. They needed man to take charge
OF that famous institution. and Mr.. Put
nam was persuaded to abandon a legal
career and continue in that line of work
which he had undertaken in Minneapolis
He remained as librarian of the Boston
Library until called to still greater
field of usefulness in Washington, in
March. 1899. Mr.. Putnam has been
president of the American Library AS
ISOLATION twice, and has made several
book-hunting expeditions abroad
Appleton p. G. Griffin a native of New
Hampshire. is the present assistant libra
ran, the post filled by A. P Spofrord
until the time of the latters death. a few
months ago Mr.. Griffin was formerly
the chief photographer of the library, and
while he held that position he prepared
many collections of work In the library
bearing on fferent subjects. He is a
descendant of distinguished Massachu-
sets colonial families. His library train
ing was acquired through many years of
service at the Boston Public Library. He
was custodian of shelves there from 1871
to 1890 and keeper of books for the next
four years. He there attained a remark
ably comprehensive knowledge of litera-
ture of all kinds, did some writing of a
historical character, but turned his at
tention specially to the preparation Of
The catalogue of the Wash
ington collection in the Boston Atheneum
is one of Mr.. Griffins most notable
achievements. He Joined the Library OF
CONGRESS staff in 1897. Last summer he
spent several mHnths abroad IN the in
terests of the library. Mr.. Griffin does
not figure in any remarkable tales OF
memory feats. like his predecessor.
though it is sad that his memory is eX-
ceptionally good. HIS adeptness in guild
ing research work Is due to famil rarity
with all the resources of Information.
Persons have marveled at the facility
with which the bibliographer's depart
ment at the Library of Congress traces
obscure facts but this is because they
have been trained under a literary Sher-
lock Holmes.
Mr.. Griffin's successor as photographer
is one of the library school graduates.
II. II. B. Meyer, who received his train
ing at the Pratt Library School in
Brooklyn, and has been at the Library of
Congress about four years. Before be-
coming photographer he was chief OF the
division that has charge Of the purchasing
of books that cannot be obtained through
the operations of the copyright law or by
gift. All auction sales of collections OF
rare volumes are closely watched by this