Edward F. Stevens Papers

Collection

Identifier: MC-008

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of biographical information, tributes, correspondence, and writings. The letters, both outgoing and incoming, are primarily concerned with business matters.

Dates

1906 - 1956
Majority of material found within 1906 - 1937

Creator

Stevens, Edward F. (Edward Francis), 1868-1956 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open to the public.

Conditions Governing Use

For permission to publish, contact the Archivist, Pratt Institute Library.

Biographical / Historical

Edward Francis Stevens was born in Rangoon, Burma, the son of American Baptist missionaries. He graduated from Colby College in 1889, worked for awhile in publishing, and received training as a librarian at Pratt Institute. After serving as a librarian at Yale University, he returned to Pratt as the head of the library’s applied science reference department in 1903. Promoted to Librarian of the Pratt Institute Free Library in 1910, he became director of the library school in 1911 and remained there until his retirement in 1938. He was influential not only in librarianship but also in typography and graphic arts, and he served as president of the New York State Library Association and the New York City Library Association, and vice president of the American Institute of Graphic Arts. Stevens published numerous articles in professional journals. His writings include An Outline of the History of Printing and The Story of the Pratt Institute.

Source: The Colby Alumnus 45 (Summer 1956): 30–31.

Extent

0.15 Linear Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Edward F. Stevens was Librarian of the Pratt Institute Free Library and director of the Library School. He was influential not only in librarianship but also in typography and graphic arts, served as president or vice president for various professional organizations, and wrote articles and pamphlets about librarianship, Pratt Institute, and book arts. The collection consists of biographical information, business correspondence, mainly of business letters to Frederic Bayley Pratt, and include his acceptance of promotion to Librarian and request for permission to accept an honorary doctorate from Colby College. Additionally, the records include pamphlets by Stevens on Pratt Institute, literature, and the history of printing.

Arrangement

The records are arranged in four series. Materials within the series are arranged chronologically. The arrangement of the records is as follows:

Series 1: Biographical Information, undated, 1938–1956

Series 2: Outgoing Correspondence, 1909–1939

Series 3: Incoming Correspondence, 1906–1937

Series 4: Writings and Publications, 1911–1948

Related Materials

Records of the School of Information and Library Science (PI-001)

Josephine Adams Rathbone Papers (Coll. No. 007)

Records of the Library (PI-002)

Pratt Institute Archives Photograph Collection

Harmful Language Statement

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