Arthur W. Tyler papers

Collection

Identifier: MS-0420

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection spans the years 1861-1896. It consists of two series: subject files and correspondence. The majority of the records in the collection deal with Tyler's career as a librarian. His time as Librarian with the Johns Hopkins University was brief, but his work at various other libraries is well represented. These records offer an interesting illustration of the day to day operations of a library in the nineteenth century. Tyler's personal life is also represented by documents detailing his religious activities as well as personal correspondence.

Dates

Creation: 1861-1896

Creator

Tyler, Arthur W., 1842- (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is housed off-site and requires 48-hours' notice for retrieval. Please contact Special Collections for more information.

Collection is open for use.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions. It is not necessary to seek our permission as the owner of the physical work to publish or otherwise use public domain materials that we have made available for use, unless Johns Hopkins University holds the copyright.

Biographical Note

Arthur W. Tyler was born March 14, 1842 in Pittsfield, Illinois to Wellington H, and Caroline E. Tyler. He attended the Williston Seminary, now the Williston Northampton School, in East Hampton, New York, from 1861-1863 and Amherst College from 1864-1867.

After finishing school, Tyler was employed by the Astor Library. He accepted a position as the second Director of the Johns Hopkins University from 1877-1879. Leaving Hopkins in 1879, he was appointed Librarian at the Indianapolis Public Library. He stayed in the position from 1879 until 1885. After a brief stint doing library work in Topeka at the University of Kansas, Tyler returned east to work for the Plainfield Public Library in New York. Tyler's sister, Carrie Lincoln, and her family lived in New York, and he remained in the area until 1891. At that time he went back to Illinois but remained for only a year, departing in 1892 after successfully refuting allegations of a salary scandal. Tyler took a position with the Wilmington Free Institute Library, Delaware in 1893 and left in 1895. By 1896 he was working for the Blackstone Library in Branford, Connecticut.

The place and date of Tyler's death are unknown.

Extent

0.94 Cubic Feet (2 legal size document boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Arthur W. Tyler was born March 14, 1842 in Pittsfield, Illinois. This collection spans the years 1861-1896 and consists of subject files and correspondence. The majority of the records in the collection deal with Tyler's career as a librarian.