Edward Christopher Williams
Encyclopedia
Edward Christopher Williams (1871 – 1929) was the first African-American professional librarian
in the United States of America. His sudden death in 1929 ended his career the year he was expected to receive the first Ph.D. in librarianship. Williams was born on February 11, 1871, in Cleveland, Ohio
, to an African-American father and an Irish
mother. Upon his graduation with distinction from Adelbert College of Western Reserve University in 1892, he was appointed Assistant Librarian of Hatch Library at WRU. Two years later, he was promoted to librarian of Hatch Library until 1909, when he resigned to assume the responsibility of the Principal of M Street High School in Washington, D.C.
He continued his career as University Librarian of Howard University
until his death on December 24, 1929.
Edward married Ethel Chesnutt, the daughter of the famous writer Charles Waddell Chesnutt, in 1902. They had one son, Charles Chesnutt Williams, who later became a lawyer, and died before completing a biography of his father.
In 1898, Williams took a sabbatical leave to pursue a Master's degree in librarianship at New York State Library
. He completed the two year program in one year, and went back to resume his responsibilities at Western Reserve University as Librarian and Instructor until 1909. During his library career at Hatch Library, Williams developed an eminent library collection which remains to this day.
Prior to the establishment of the WRU Library School, Williams taught some courses in national bibliography. Upon opening the library school in 1904, he was appointed instructor of bibliography and reference.
In 1909, Williams resigned from his position at WRU and was appointed as Principal of the M Street High School (Dunbar High School) in Washington, D.C., where he served 7 years. In 1916, Williams was elected head librarian of Howard University
, where he spent 13 years serving the University Library and developing its collection. Williams also assumed additional responsibilities as a professor of bibliography and instructor of German language. During his career at Howard University
, he advocated for the need for professional personnel, and he worked on improving the quality of the library resources.
and assisted in its conventions and sessions. He gave a lecture in 1928 in a session of ALA’s College and Reference titled "Library Needs of Negro Institutions".
Williams also served as vice-president of the New York State Library School Association in 1904.
between 1925 and 1927.
Williams’ main writings were based on the problems of Washington’s black society as in his article “Letters of Davy Carr, a True Story of Colored Vanity Affair” published in the Messenger. Sometimes, he used a fake name (Bertiuccio Dantino) to sign his articles.
Williams excelled in five languages: English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. He translated some documents from different languages into English. Early in his career, he received job offers to become a translator.
, when he died unexpectedly on December 24, 1929. The funeral was held at the Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel on the Howard University
campus, in the presence of the President of the University, Dr. Mordecai Johnson, who presided over the ceremony. Edward Christopher Williams was buried at Lincoln Cemetery in Suitland, Maryland.
Edward Williams was not only a successful professional librarian and author at the time of segregation but a social activist too. He was raising the problems and challenges faced by the black people libraries as deteriorated buildings, shortage in staff and lack of funding at every convention. He was also helping young black men and women to pursue their education and expand their knowledge to become successful people .
Williams admired Saint Augustine, and his favorite quotation was “Always proceed, never stand still nor go back nor deviate. Be always displeased at what thou art. If thou sayest 'I have enough,' thou diest,” which was reflected clearly throughout his life and career. E. J. Josey
celebrated Williams' career and achievements in his 1969 article:
Librarian
A librarian is an information professional trained in library and information science, which is the organization and management of information services or materials for those with information needs...
in the United States of America. His sudden death in 1929 ended his career the year he was expected to receive the first Ph.D. in librarianship. Williams was born on February 11, 1871, in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
, to an African-American father and an Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
mother. Upon his graduation with distinction from Adelbert College of Western Reserve University in 1892, he was appointed Assistant Librarian of Hatch Library at WRU. Two years later, he was promoted to librarian of Hatch Library until 1909, when he resigned to assume the responsibility of the Principal of M Street High School in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
He continued his career as University Librarian of Howard University
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
until his death on December 24, 1929.
Life
Edward Williams was the only son of Daniel P. Williams, a respected personality in Cleveland, and Mary Kilkary Williams, who was of Irish origin. Edward received his education in the public schools of Cleveland, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Adelbert College of Western Reserve University in 1892. As a distinguished student, he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa fraternity.Edward married Ethel Chesnutt, the daughter of the famous writer Charles Waddell Chesnutt, in 1902. They had one son, Charles Chesnutt Williams, who later became a lawyer, and died before completing a biography of his father.
Career
Williams began his library career in 1892 as an assistant librarian in Hatch Library of Western Reserve University. After two years, he was promoted to library director.In 1898, Williams took a sabbatical leave to pursue a Master's degree in librarianship at New York State Library
New York State Library
The New York State Library is part of the New York State Education Department. The Library and its sister institutions, the New York State Museum and New York State Archives, are housed in the Cultural Education Center...
. He completed the two year program in one year, and went back to resume his responsibilities at Western Reserve University as Librarian and Instructor until 1909. During his library career at Hatch Library, Williams developed an eminent library collection which remains to this day.
Prior to the establishment of the WRU Library School, Williams taught some courses in national bibliography. Upon opening the library school in 1904, he was appointed instructor of bibliography and reference.
In 1909, Williams resigned from his position at WRU and was appointed as Principal of the M Street High School (Dunbar High School) in Washington, D.C., where he served 7 years. In 1916, Williams was elected head librarian of Howard University
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
, where he spent 13 years serving the University Library and developing its collection. Williams also assumed additional responsibilities as a professor of bibliography and instructor of German language. During his career at Howard University
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
, he advocated for the need for professional personnel, and he worked on improving the quality of the library resources.
Library associations
In addition to his profession as librarian and instructor, Williams collaborated on the establishment of many associations. He was a founding member of the Ohio Library Association (OLA) and was elected secretary in 1904. As the chairman of the Ohio Library Association’s College Section, he gave many speeches and lectures at the Ohio Institute of Library Workers. Williams was also a member of the American Library AssociationAmerican Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
and assisted in its conventions and sessions. He gave a lecture in 1928 in a session of ALA’s College and Reference titled "Library Needs of Negro Institutions".
Williams also served as vice-president of the New York State Library School Association in 1904.
Works
In addition to his library profession, Williams was also an author and translator. His works include: The Exile (an Italian classical drama), The Sheriff’s Children, The Chasm, and many articles, poems and short stories published in The Messenger MagazineThe Messenger Magazine
The Messenger was a political and literary magazine by and for African-American people in the early 20th century that was important in the flowering of the Harlem Renaissance. The Messenger was co-founded in New York City by Chandler Owen and A...
between 1925 and 1927.
Williams’ main writings were based on the problems of Washington’s black society as in his article “Letters of Davy Carr, a True Story of Colored Vanity Affair” published in the Messenger. Sometimes, he used a fake name (Bertiuccio Dantino) to sign his articles.
Williams excelled in five languages: English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. He translated some documents from different languages into English. Early in his career, he received job offers to become a translator.
Death
Williams was preparing for advanced studies to earn the first Ph.D. in library science offered by Columbia UniversityColumbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
, when he died unexpectedly on December 24, 1929. The funeral was held at the Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel on the Howard University
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
campus, in the presence of the President of the University, Dr. Mordecai Johnson, who presided over the ceremony. Edward Christopher Williams was buried at Lincoln Cemetery in Suitland, Maryland.
Edward Williams was not only a successful professional librarian and author at the time of segregation but a social activist too. He was raising the problems and challenges faced by the black people libraries as deteriorated buildings, shortage in staff and lack of funding at every convention. He was also helping young black men and women to pursue their education and expand their knowledge to become successful people .
Williams admired Saint Augustine, and his favorite quotation was “Always proceed, never stand still nor go back nor deviate. Be always displeased at what thou art. If thou sayest 'I have enough,' thou diest,” which was reflected clearly throughout his life and career. E. J. Josey
E. J. Josey
[E. J. Josey]]E. J. Josey, was an American activist and librarian.-Professional background:E. J. Josey was Professor Emeritus, Department of Library and Information Science, School of Library and Information Sciences, University of Pittsburgh...
celebrated Williams' career and achievements in his 1969 article:
“Edward Christopher Williams’ life was not a mere life for us to let pass into oblivion historically, for it was a vast spectacle of scholarly achievements in writing, translating, and understanding the complex problems of libraries; and, it was also a panorama of prodigious teaching and motivation to lead his students to excellence in librarianship …”
Chronology
- 1892: BA degree from Western Reserve University
- 1892: Assistant Librarian in Hatch Library
- 1894: Librarian of the Hatch Library
- 1899–1900: Graduate Studies at New York State Library School
- 1904: Faculty member at WRU Library School
- 1904: Secretary of the Ohio Library Association
- 1904: Vice-President of the New York State Library School Association
- 1909: Principal of M Street High School in Washington DC
- 1916: Professor of Bibliography, Director of the Library Training Class and Librarian of Howard University
- 1929: Advanced study (PhD) offered by Columbia University was uncompleted because of illness and death