| Description |
35 linear feet (86 boxes, 20 volumes) |
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Arranged in six series: I. Board of Trustees - General Administration; II. Board of Trustees - President; III. Board of Trustees - Secretary; IV. Board of Trustees - Treasurer; V. Superintendent; VI. Librarian. |
| Summary |
The records of the Lenox Library span the years 1866-1915, with the bulk dating from 1870-1895. |
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They document the founding and operation of the Library, including rare book purchases from Europe and America, reader's statistics, and general library administration. Records include annual reports, by-laws, clippings, correspondence, contracts, acquisition records, booksellers catalogs, meeting minutes, and financial records. A small number of items date from after the 1895 consolidation of the Lenox Library with the Astor Library and Tilden Trust to form The New York Public Library. |
| Terms Of Use |
All rights reserved. Permission to quote must be obtained in writing from the New York Public Library. |
| Restricted Access |
Restricted access; Manuscripts and Archives Division; Permit must be requested at the division indicated. |
| Biography |
The Lenox Library was a free public reference library which grew out of the private book collection of James Lenox (1800-1880). |
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A lifelong bachelor of Scottish Presbyterian descent, Lenox inherited a large fortune from his father's commercial import business augmented by astute real estate investments. In 1840 Lenox retired from business to devote himself to his book and art collections. In 1870 the Library's act of incorporation was passed, a nine member board of trustees chosen, and plans were begun for a building to house the collections held up to that time in Lenox's home. The architect selected was Richard Morris Hunt and the site (donated by Lenox) was on Fifth Avenue between 70th and 71st Streets in Manhattan. |
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In 1872 Lenox's friend and fellow bibliophile, George Henry Moore, became the Lenox Library's first Superintendent while also serving on the Board of Trustees. In 1885 Wilberforce Eames came to work for Moore as a private assistant. In 1892 Eames became Assistant Librarian, replacing S.A. Allibone, who retired. Eames went on to become an important bibliographer. |
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After the death of James Lenox in 1880, the Library continued to expand its holdings, mainly through gift and bequest. The Library dropped its admission ticket policy in 1887 in an attempt to make its collections more accessible to scholars. While these and other policy changes improved its public image somewhat, the trustees were growing increasingly concerned about their long-term financial viability. In the spring of 1894 the Astor Library trustees began merger talks with the Tilden Trust, and the Lenox trustees joined the discussions. The consolidation of the three in 1895 formed a new corporation, The New York Public Library. |
| Indexes |
Unpublished finding aid available at repository and on internet. |
| Subject |
Allen, E.G.
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Allibone, Samuel Austin, 1828-1895.
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Belknap, Aaron B.
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Billings, John S. (John Shaw), 1838-1913.
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Eames, Wilberforce, 1855-1937.
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Hunt, Richard Morris, 1828-1895.
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Lenox, James, 1800-1880.
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Kennedy, Robert L.
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Kennedy, John Stewart.
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Lockwood, I. Ferris.
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Maitland, Alexander, d. 1907.
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Moore, George Henry, 1823-1892.
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Stevens, Henry, 1819-1886.
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Quaritch, Bernard$d1819-1899.
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Lenox Library.
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New York Public Library.
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Libraries -- New York (State) -- New York.
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Libraries -- History -- 19th century.
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Research libraries -- New York (State) -- New York.
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Librarians -- New York (State) -- New York.
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Antiquarian booksellers.
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Book collecting.
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Research libraries -- Acquisitions.
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Acquisitions (Libraries) -- New York (State) -- New York.
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Library architecture.
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Rare books.
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| Genre/Form |
Annual reports
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Clippings
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Financial records
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Minutes
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| Call No. |
MssArc RG2 4856
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| Research Call Number |
MssArc RG2 4856
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