Herbert Putnam
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About
Head of the Library of Congress for the first four decades of the 20th century who helped make it a world-renowned institution. He was also an Associate Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Before Fame
He studied at Harvard University and read law at Columbia, but decided to go into administrating libraries; first at Minnesota, then at Boston.
Trivia
He expanded the budget allotted to the Library of Congress, and helped organize its material, working during WWI to distribute books overseas to the fighting men.
Family Life
His father George Palmer Putnam founded the publishing company named after him.
Associated With
Dianel Boorstin, born about 50 years later, became another Librarian of Congress.
