Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-12-01
STATE HOUSE

The last Bulletin Ct the State library
contains a tribute TO Prof. George
Thomas Little which is well worth read
ing. /, IS here reproduced entire:
George Thomas Little.
Professor George Thomas Little was
born May Il. 1851 at Auburn. lie was the
son OF Edward Toppan Little. Ills grand
father was Edward Little. who gradual
ed al Exeter Academy, and at Dartmouth
College in 1871, became an eminent law
yer at Newbury. Massachusetts. pron4'-
nent public official for State of Massa-
chusetts. removing first 10 Portland
Maine, and then to Auburn III l92j. Ed
ward Little was a descendant OF george
Little who came from England To New
bury Nassa chusetts. in 1870. EDWARD
Topylan Little. father Of frofessQr Little
was born in 1879 and died in Auburn IN
1861 He was an attorney by profession
represented Auburn in the State leglsia-
tare. was Judge Of probate for Andres
cocsiu county. a director of the Name
central Railroad and leader IN the pro
fessonal and business life OF his state
Professor Little attended the pubic
schools of Auburn and graduated IRON
Bowdoin College in the class OF ie''. ne
led his class in scholarship, beng salutd-
torian at commencement.
Five wears after his graduation, he re-
turned 10 the college as instructor IN
Latin. one year later he was MADE pro-
fessor Of Latin and acting librarian. The
now year he was given full charge OF the
hn
,i,,a To this work Thus for 80 years the
Rowdoin College Library was ms con-
etant care as il was also the chlel Joy ol
.his life. Under his direction the hprar!
cre-v from, $4,000 volumes to more than
100, o0o.
Professor Little was a pioneer IN Hora-
~ work in the State of Maine. lie auop-
ted methods and developed system o.
,,o-l, IN connection with his library SC
that II has become one OF the chiei euu-
ca+ional assets of the college ana us rich
resources have been made aVahaoie IL
every department Of study ana resef'io-i,
Ills thorough knowledge OF the Hee"s "a
the modern library. together Win tHe
,,,,,fcence of one of Bowdoin's most &C.
,.o+ed alumni. made it possible 10 Ell
sbr;na his beloved library in one OF the
r,os+ artistic and useful library oulio-
noe IN New England. This library bui4d-
no with its noble architecture, US a.
tjs,ic decorations, and It's lnNai"@oi'
ararv riches is fitting monument ~ '"e
earnest and unselfsh labor OF a i'iee.i'
Under Professor Little, the coi!ese NO.
w AT Bowdoin and the once OF iipi al '''-'
which is more than that OF a mere tus-
-odian of books, developed reiilai ha'-
r,a ,o,,I+inlicity of detail when zen -
Professor Titles care, the vast aiilouii'
~ historical and literary WORK anu .tiN
-,.;,o which he was constantly dong 10Y
~. oo,,aee az secretary Of the Geherai
Alumni Association can harolH NC
s+atad and this work was coHs'aH'iS =.
oraasinc as the college gre" anu q -
.o-ivi..ss became more wldespr eau
h,,;,dipe of Hubbard Hall made 'ne iip! q,
~;o,,s office almost the adhliiiis'i 49, ~
to Of college life and yet no rnenloei
- +ha faculty. no alumnus, no uhoer'
,,,e and in fact TO person Whatso'
lei 4 ranuine need, ever falied tc
- professor Little quick and kino-
ing sympathy and an eager reaoiiies :
giye th4 fullest service possloie'
The individual ciia' +" ab;af ..
lessor Little were many, put INC
| these was his unrenitting kihoiiess
had no desire apparently for PUBIC no
, tice for worldly goods or for any O. Int
co,pr,on rewards of life. He seemed C
he content with his books. with his work
his delightful domestic life and his lei
lowship with men of culture and of learn
| ing. He did marvels in the building vi
! Of the Bowdoin College Library. VIII
| his sound scholarship. his good judgment
and his indefatigable industry he made i
one of the best college libraries in tn
country. Its collection Of Maine books i
unexcelled. He brought TO public notice
the hitherto unknown worth of Bowdoin