User:JamieF/Draft:Eliza G. Browning

Eliza Gordon Browning (September 23, 1856 - May 17, 1927) oversaw the construction of the Central Library in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was the first female member of the Indiana Historical Society and founder of the General Arthur St. Clair Daughters of the American Revolution chapter.

Early life
Eliza Browning was born in Fortville, Indiana on September 23, 1856 to Woodville and Mary Ann Browning. The family moved to Indianapolis shortly after her birth. Browning attended public school in Indianapolis.

Career
In May 1880, Browning joined the staff of the Indianapolis Public Library as an apprentice, and assisted with moving the Library from the Circle to the Alvord House (at Pennsylvania and Ohio Streets). In 1881 Browning was appointed as a junior assistant and between 1888 and 1889, she served as the interim acting librarian between two administrations. In May 1892, she was appointed chief librarian, a position she held until July 1917, when she voluntarily became assistant librarian. In 1893, Browning oversaw the moving of the Library to the first building constructed primarily for it's use located on Meridian and Ohio Streets. Browning launched the creation of branch libraries across the city, with the first branch opening in 1896, and five more branches opened between 1910 and 1914 with a $100,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie. sought funding and organized the move of the Indianapolis Public Library Browning worked for the Indianapolis Public library for 47 years.

Browning was admitted as the first female member of the Indiana Historical Society. She was active in the Indiana Library Association, the American Library Association, YWCA, and served as state historian for the Daughters of the American Revolution.

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Death and legacy
The chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution that Browning founded, donated an exhibit case in her honor to the Indianapolis Public Library.