Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-12

Afnsworth Rand Spofford, editor, pub
Usher. bookseller and author, librarian
OF Congress from 1854 to 1897. and since
then chief assistant librarian, died at
Holderness, n. H.. at 6 o'clock last even
ing at the advanced age of eighty-three
years Mr.. Spofford had been in Ill health
for several years, although for a greater
part of the time he had attended to his
duties and although no details have
been received in Washington as yet. it is
supposed that death ensued from a final
stroke of paralysis. Nothing is known
concerning the arrangements for the OBJ
seQuies but 1t is supposed that the funeral
will be held from the Spofford residence,
1921 Massachusetts, avenue.
Mr.. Spofford is survived by a daughter,
Florence. who makes her home here, and
a son. who is a resident of New York
city. Mrs Spofford died many years ago.
Although Mr.. Spoffords health had not
been good for several years, 1t had not
OF late been worse than usual. and he
had planned to leave Holderness today for
Hot Springs. Va. there to spend the re-
mainder of the summer.
Mr.. Spofford was connected with the
Congressional Library for forty-seven
years, three years, from 1861 to 1854. as
first assistant librarian: thirty-three
years. from 1854 to 1897. as librarian. and
from 1897 to 1908 as chief assistant libra
rian. and by his work during that period
had won an International reputation On
his original appointment as librarian Of
Congress he succeeded DR.. John G. Ste
phenson of Indiana. an appointee OF
President Lincoln, and in 1897 resigned
on account Of advancing years and was
succeeded by John Russell Young.
His Wonderful Memory.
Mr.. Spofford was famous for his won-
derfully retentive memory, which appar-
entity defied the wear and tear Of ef-
facing years and the crowding of multi
tudinous detail. A most striking example
of this was furnished when Gen. Lew
Wallace. then preparing his famous Ben
Hur appealed to Mr.. Spofford for aid in
obtaining material for local color and
literary atmosphere. Mr.. Spofford Of
fered all the facilities the Congressional
Library afforded. which did not happen to
be sufficient. in that particular line. to
satisfy Gen. Wallace. WhereupOn Mr.
SpofYord advised the general to visit the
Harvard library and look for such and
such a volume-giving him its title, Ii
brary number the room and the number
of the shelf on which is reposed. closing
his instructions by actually telling the
the south end"
Innate Love for Literature.
Ainsworth Rand Spofford was born at
Gilmanton. n. H., September H. 1885. He
was a son of Rev. L. A. Spofford. New
Hampshire clergyman, who later became
a missionary in several western states and
founder of a number of churches. and a
lineaI descendant OF the John Spofford of
Yorkshire. England. who settled at
Georgetown. Mass. in 1893.
In his early youth, after an excellent
English and classical education under "A
private tutor. Mr. Spofford developed the
innate love for literature and absorbing
passion for books which gave bent to his
later career In 1914 he went to Cincn-
natl. Ohio. where he became a bookseller
and publisher. spending his leisure time
In studying the modern languages. and in
literary pursuits. and in 1870 became one
Of the founders of the Literary Club. a
vigorous intellectual organization of that
city. In 1859 he became an assistant ed
itor of the Cincinnati Daily Commercial
Mr.. Spofford's life in Washington dated
from 1861. when he was appointed first
assistant in the Library of Congress. His
exceptional fitness for the work soon
marked him for promotion. and in 1864 he
was made librarian in chief which posi-
tion he held until 1897.
Made His Influence Felt.
In this position he made his influence
felt in many ways upon the world of let
ters. and the law of 1870 which makes the
Congressional Library the Office for all
records of copyright publications was en-
acted largely through his efforts.
When Mr.. Spofford entered the Con-
gressional Library 1t contained about 10
600 volumes. Now the library contains
more than 2.JO0.O0O volumes and PAM
phlets. and many thousands of volumes
are being added each year.
1t was Mr.. Spofford too. who in his
annual report first called attention to the
pressing needs Of new library build
ing TO house the growing national collec-
ton Of literature, and when the great
building which now faces the Capitol was