Call Number:

C0341

Repository:

Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division

Extent:

20 boxes

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Ernest Cushing Richardson Collection, Box and Folder Number; Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Date:

1832-1954 (inclusive)

Creator:

Princeton University. Library. Special Collections and Richardson, Ernest Cushing, 1860-1939

Form:

Correspondence., Manuscripts., and Photographs.

Abstract:

Consists of the personal papers of Ernest Cushing Richardson, librarian of Princeton University Library from 1890 till 1925.

Ernest Cushing Richardson (1860-1939) was an American librarian, theologian and scholar who made significant contributions to the field of American librarianship. He was the University Librarian for Princeton University from 1890 to 1925, and during his tenure invented a new cataloging system that was specific to the Princeton library, often called the "Princeton system" or the "Richardson system". In 1925, Richardson became consultant to the Library of Congress. He died in Switzerland in 1939.

The collection consists of Richardson's personal papers. Included are a typed manuscript with holograph corrections of an early edition of the Richardson library classification system and correspondence with various libraries and librarians, as well as correspondence between Richardson and his family, including his mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. James C. Richardson. Also included are photographs of the Richardson family, documents such as his diploma from Amherst College (1880) and the wills of his sister-in-law Mary Ely Bassett and her husband, and a genealogy of the Ely family. In addition, there are engagement books for the years 1881, 1886, 1909-1910, 1912-1916, 1918-1919, as well as business and financial papers.

Arranged in this order: works (including engagement books), correspondence, photographs, documents, business and financial papers.