Herbert Putnam
United States librarian and lawyer
Herbert Putnam Rank
About Herbert Putnam
Herbert Putnam was the longest-serving Librarian of Congress and he is renowned for transforming the Library into a world-class institution.
Early Life
A native of New York City, Herbert Putnam was the tenth child of an American publisher George Palmer Putnam. He obtained his first degree from Harvard University and went on to Columbia University Law School in 1884.
Career
Putnam was appointed the librarian of the Minneapolis Athenaeum in 1884 and then the librarian of the Minneapolis Public Library from 1887 to 1891, at which time he developed the Putnam Classification System (a system of cataloging and classification books). He moved to Boston to care for his ailing mother-in-law and was also appointed Librarian of the Boston Public Library in 1895.
Putnam is believed to be the first librarian to devote a special room to service children. He was appointed Librarian of Congress by President William McKinley in December 1899. This scholar served under eight American presidents through the First World War and retired in 1939 after forty years in office. Due to his immense contribution, the office of “Librarian Emeritus” was developed for him and he served in this capacity until 1954.
Personal Life
Putnam married Charlotte Elizabeth Munroe in 1886 and they had two daughters.
Herbert Putnam Rank
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F.A.Q. about Herbert Putnam
When is his birthday?
Herbert Putnam's birthday is on September 20, 1861.
In how many days is his birthday?
Herbert's birthday is in 148 days
How old was Herbert when he died?
He was 93 years old.
When did he die?
He died in August 14, 1955.
How old would he be today?
Herbert Putnam would be 162 years old if he was alive today.
Where was Herbert from?
He was born in New York City, New York, U.S..