Famous Givers and Their GiftsBolton, Sarah Knowles
History
Famous Givers and Their Gifts
Bolton, Sarah Knowles
Philanthropists
Dr. Poole was the librarian of the Boston Athenæum for thirteen years,
and accepted a position in Chicago, October, 1873, to form the public
library. In 1882 Dr. Poole issued the third edition of his famous "Index
to Periodical Literature," having 1,469 pages. In this work he had the
co-operation of the American Library Association, the Library
Association of Great Britain and Ireland, and the able assistance of Wm.
I. Fletcher, M.A., librarian of Amherst College. Since Dr. Poole's
death, Mr. Fletcher and Mr. R. R. Bowker have carried forward the Index,
aided by many other librarians.
Dr. Poole was president of the American Historical Society, 1887, of the
American Library Association 1886-1888, and had written much on
historical and literary topics. The Boston _Herald_ says, "Dr. Poole was
a bibliographer of world-wide reputation, and one whose extended
knowledge of books was simply wonderful." His "Index to Periodical
Literature," invaluable to both writers and readers, will perpetuate his
name. Dr. Poole was succeeded by the well-known author, Mr. John Vance
Cheney, who had been eight years at the head of the San Francisco public
library.
JOHN CRERAR.
Was born in New York City, the son of John Crerar, his parents both
natives of Scotland.
He was educated in a common school, and at the age of eighteen became a
clerk in a mercantile house. In 1862 he went to Chicago, and associated
himself with J. McGregor Adams in the iron business. He was also
interested in railroads, and was the president of a company. He was an
upright member of the Second Presbyterian Church, and his first known
gift was $10,000 to that church.
Unmarried, he lived quietly at the Grand Pacific Hotel until his death,
Oct. 19, 1889. In his will he said, "I ask that I may be buried by the
side of my honored mother, in Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, N.Y., in the
family lot, and that some of my many friends see that this request is
complied with. I desire a plain headstone, similar to that which marks
my mother's grave, to be raised over my head." The income of $1,000 was
left to care for the family lot. He left various legacies to relatives.
To first cousins he gave $20,000 each; to second cousins, $10,000; and
to third cousins, $5,000 each. To one second cousin, on account of
kindness to his mother, an additional $10,000; to the widow of a cousin,
$10,000 for kindness to his only brother, Peter, then dead. To several
other friends sums from $50,000 to $5,000 each.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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