Vivian G. Harsh

Vivian G. Harsh
Harsh, c. 1920s.
Born	Vivian Gordon Harsh May 27, 1890 Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Died	August 17, 1960(1960-08-17) (aged 70) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Education	Wendell Phillips Academy High School Simmons College
Occupation	Librarian
Years active	1909–1958
Known for	First African American librarian in the Chicago Public Library system Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature

Vivian Gordon Harsh (May 27, 1890 – August 17, 1960) was an American librarian. Harsh is noted as the Chicago Public Library (CPL) system's first African American librarian, being assigned to the position on February 26, 1924. Harsh served as a librarian for 34 years until retiring in 1958. During her career, she began an extensive archive on African American history and culture, which is now known as, the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection, at the CPL.^[1]