Charles Harvey Brown

Charles Harvey Brown
Brown c. 1940
President of the American Library Association
In office
1941–1942
Preceded byEssae Martha Culver
Succeeded byKeyes D. Metcalf
Personal details
Born(1875-12-23)December 23, 1875
Albany, New York, US
DiedJanuary 19, 1960(1960-01-19) (aged 84)
EducationWesleyan University
OccupationLibrarian
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Navy
Years of service1919–1922

Charles Harvey Brown (December 23, 1875 – January 19, 1960) was an American librarian and leader in the American Library Association. He received a bachelor's degree from Wesleyan University in 1897 and a master's degree in 1899. He went on to receive a second bachelor's degree in Library Science at the New York State Library School in 1901. He later received a Literary Doctorate from Wesleyan University in 1937. He worked at Wesleyan University from 1897 to 1899 and the Library of Congress from 1901 to 1903. Brown worked for the John Crerar Library from 1903 to 1909 and the Brooklyn Public Library from 1909 to 1919.[1]

Brown joined the United States Navy in 1919, leaving the service in 1922 to work for the Iowa State College Library. Brown directed the Iowa State University Library from 1922 to 1946 until he retired and was named Librarian Emeritus.[2]

He was president of the American Library Association from 1941 to 1942.[3] Brown helped to form the Association of Research Libraries and in 1932, and the Association of College and Research Libraries in 1938.[4][5]

In 1947 the journal, College & Research Libraries published essays in his honor.[6]

He helped to organize the National Diet Library in Japan.[7]

In 1954 Brown was awarded American Library Association Honorary Membership.[8]

  1. ^ "Charles Harvey Brown Papers". e-library @ Iowa State University. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  2. ^ "Charles Harvey Brown". Sesquicentennial celebration History of Iowa State: People of Distinction. Iowa State University. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  3. ^ "ALA's Past Presidents". American Library Association. 20 November 2007. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  4. ^ Tauber, Maurice F. (July 1947). "Charles Harvey Brown: The Man". College and Research Libraries. 8 (3, Part 2): 293. doi:10.5860/crl_08_03_part_2_293. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  5. ^ Holley, E. G., & Holley, E. G. (1981). Mr. ACRL: Charles Harvey Brown. Journal of Academic Librarianship, 7, 271–278.
  6. ^ Espenshade, E. B. (1947). Essays in honor of Charles Harvey Brown. College & Research Libraries, 8, 293–384.
  7. ^ "Charles Harvey Brown Papers". e-library @ Iowa State University. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  8. ^ American Library Association, Honorary Membership. http://www.ala.org/awardsgrants/awards/176/all_years