Among Friends

On Commencement Weekend I had the privilege of honoring five individuals with the Brown University Library's William Williams Award. This award commemorates the efforts of William Williams, Class of 1769, who sequestered the College library at his home in Wrentham, Massachusetts throughout the War for American Independence. Established by Brown University in 1988, this award honors those individuals who have provided extraordinary support for the Library. For those of you who were not able to attend, I'd like to share some of the reasons why this year's honorees are so special:

Robert S. Ames served as Vice-Chair of the Friends of the Library Board of Directors for nearly 20 years. Although Ames had no formal Brown affiliation, he had a passion for collecting books and prints, particularly illustrated travel narratives of the American West. Ames was instrumental in the negotiations that led to the gift of the Gorham Silver Company archives to Brown. Bob and his wife Margaret gave their collection of illustrated books which is particularly strong in Western travel narratives, to the John Hay Library. He also left a significant financial bequest to the John Hay Library. Sadly, this award was presented posthumously.

Frederick Bloom, '40, p'71, has provided the Brown University Library with the great benefit of his time and expertise, as well as gifts of rare materials and financial support. An example of his generosity includes a letter of Horace Mann (Class of 1819) in honor of the appointment of Ruth Simmons as President of Brown University. He also established an endowment as a partial match to the Library's National Endowment for the Humanities challenge grant for acquisitions in the humanities. Bloom served as an intermediary for Brown to secure several major significant being made to the Library, including a major collection of printing and publishing in the United States that was donated by Rollo and Alice Silver (Class of 1931 and 1933, respectively).

Herbert Caldwell is a key supporter of the Anne S.K. Brown Military Collection and has served both as Vice-Presiding Trustee and Presiding Trustee of the Committee of Management of the Collection. He led the Committee in a variety of new initiatives that included a publications program and gifts totaling over $500,000. He also established an endowment for the benefit of the Collection. Caldwell implemented a program of conservation for the Collection's holdings of miniature lead figures and secured major gifts including the Mazansky Sword Collection of British Swords and several collections of miniature military figures. Perhaps most significantly, it was through his efforts that the restoration of the interior of the Annmary Brown Memorial was accomplished.

Helena-Hope Gammell, '48, chaired the Friends of the Library Board of Directors from 1994 through 1999. She was a longtime benefactor to the Library, and contributed to the 1979 renovation of the John Hay Library. The Main Exhibition Room was given by her in honor of her many family members who have attended Brown over the past two centuries. Gammell established an endowed fund to be used by the University at the Librarian's discretion and also gave a large collection of Gammell family papers pertaining to the family's involvement in the social, political and business life of Rhode Island. Regrettably, this award was presented posthumously.

Henry Sharpe, Jr., '45, LLD '70 hon., p'77, p'88, p' MAT '86, served as Chair of the Friends of the Library Board of Directors from 1986 to 1994 and also served as a member of the University Library Committee. He served on the Brown Corporation and as Vice Chan-cellor of the University. Sharpe gave the papers of his mother -- Mary Elizabeth Sharpe -- to the Library. She was a pioneer in the efforts to beautify the landscape of Providence. He also contri-buted to the National Endowment for the Humanities preservation challenge grant and he has been an active promoter of the Library's forthcoming storage facility.

After the award ceremony, attendees were treated to a Friends-sponsored Commencement Forum, "Abraham Lincoln -- Our Ever Present Contemporary?" The excellent presentation was delivered by Rhode Island Supreme Court Chief Justice Frank Williams, who himself is a past recipient of the William Williams Award and a member of the Friends Board of Directors.

As the Friends of the Library members know, the Library is central to the academic and cultural life of the Brown community. Our honorees exemplify how alumni and community members can make valuable contributions toward enhancing the Library's scholarly resources and services. Thank you for your continued support.


Sincerely,
Fraser A. Lang '67, p'04
Chair