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Robert Bingham Downs
Introduction -

A prolific author and librarian, Robert Bingham Downs is considered a very influential person in the field of Library Information Sciences. Robert B. Downs was not only a sizeable person physically, but as a sizable advocate for intellectual freedom as well. Also, Robert B. Downs spent the majority of his career working against, and voicing opposition to, literary censorship. In addition, Robert B. Downs authored a large amount of books and publications regarding the topics of censorship, as well as on the topics of responsible and efficient leadership in the library context.

Sunrise/Sunset -

Robert Bingham Downs (a Democrat) was born May 25, 1903 (a Gemini) in the southern small town of Lenoir, North Carolina (United States of America). Downs was the seventh child (of eight) of Mr. John McLeod (an educator and local part-time politico) and Clarissa Catherine (Hartley) Downs, who suffered from periodic ambulatory incapacity. Downs married fellow classmate Elizabeth Crooks in 1929. Elizabeth and Robert had two daughters Clara (Mrs. William Keller) and Roberta (Mrs. Terence Andre). In 1982, Elizabeth Downs died. Subsequently, Robert Downs was remarried to Jane Wilson in 1983. Downs has three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Robert B. Downs died at the age of 87 of pneumonia in 1991 at this home in the city of Urbana, Illinois.

Educational Background -

Robert B. Downs attended the one-room schoolhouse called Shady Grove until his high school years when his family relocated to Asheville, North Carolina. , After the completion of his high school curricula, Downs went on to study at the University of North Carolina (A.B. 1926), the School of Library Science at Columbia University (B.S. 1927, M.S. 1929). During his Masters coursework, Downs was employed at the New York Library and as a librarian for two years (1929 to 1931) at Colby College in Maine. Downs earned a Doctor of Letters from Colby College (1944) and from University of Illinois (1973). In addition, Downs earned a L.L.D. from North Carolina University in 1949, and L.H.D.’s from Ohio State University (1963) and Southern Illinois University (1970).

Employment –

Assistant Librarian, University of North Carolina (1922-1926); Assistant Librarian, New York Public Library (1927-1929); Librarian, Colby College (1929-1931); Assistant Librarian, University of North Carolina (1931-1932); Librarian and Associate Professor of Library Science, University of North Carolina (1932-1934); Librarian and Professor, University of North Carolina (1934-1938); Director of Library and Library Sch. – Director of Libraries, New York University (1938-1943); Professor of Library Science, University of Illinois (1943-1958); Dean Library Administration, University of Illinois (1958-1971); Dean Emeritus, University of Illinois (1971); Visiting Professor at University of Toronto (1973) and University of North Carolina (1975).

Professional/Academic Memberships –

American Library Association: Vice President (1951-1952), President (1952-1953); Illinois Library Association: President (1955-1956); Southeastern Library Association; American Association of University Professors; Authors League America; Society of Midland Authors; Committee on Books Abroad (United States Information Agency); Phi Beta Kappa; Beta Phi Mu; Phi Kappa Phi. Served as an advisor to many overseas libraries.

Endeavors –

The contributions of Robert Bingham Downs are immense. While Downs looked to hero’s Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson for guidance when challenges were encumbered, it was the influences of this his distant cousin, Mr. Louis Round Wilson, that formed Downs’ librarian leadership foundation. During his tenure as President of the American Library Association, Downs became a strong force against what he viewed as suppressive forces of literature. Downs produced many publications during his life and is best known for his book titled: “Books That Changed the World”. This publication enjoyed a great deal of success and was subsequently translated into many languages. ,, Robert B. Downs was also known for his inexhaustible accession talents and developed a proclivity for rare books regarding the topic of American Folklore. Aided by Mr. Gordon N. Ray, Downs deft talents would eventually facilitate realization of the private papers of noted authors H.G. Wells and Carl Sandburg.

Works –

(With Louis R. Wilson) Report of a Survey of the Libraries of Cornell University, Cornell University Press, 1948.

Books That Changed the World, New American Library, 1956, 2nd edition, American Library Association, 1978.

(With others) Family Saga and Other Phases of American Folklore, University of Illinois Press, 1958. Molders of the Modern Mind: III Books That Shaped Western Civilization, Barnes & Noble, 1961.

Strengthening and Improving Library Resources for Southern Higher Education, Southern Regional Education Board, 1962.

The Kabul University Library, University of Wyoming Education Program, 1963.

(Editor) The Bear Went over the Mountain, Macmillan, 1964.

Famous Books, Ancient and Medieval, Barnes & Noble, 1964.

Resources of North Carolina Libraries, Governor's Commission on Library Resources, 1965.

How to Do Library Research, University of Illinois Press, 1966, 2nd edition, 1975.

Resources of Missouri Libraries, Missouri State Library, 1966.

(With Frances B. Jenkins) Bibliography: Current State and Future Trends, University of Illinois Press, 1967.

Resources of Canadian Academic and Research Libraries, Association of Universities of Canada, 1967.

University Library Statistics, Association of Research Libraries, 1968.

Books That Changed America, Macmillan, 1970.

Famous American Books, McGraw, 1971.

Books and History, University of Illinois Library School, 1974.

Horace Mann, Twayne, 1974.

Heinrich Pestalozzi, Twayne, 1975.

Famous Books, Littlefield, 1975.

Books That Changed the South, University of North Carolina Press, 1977.

Henry Barnard, Twayne, 1977.

Friedrich Froebel, Twayne, 1978.

Australian and New Zealand Library Resources, Mansell, 1979.

British and Irish Resources, Mansell, 1981.

Landmarks in Science, Libraries Unlimited, 1982.

(With others) Memorable Americans, Libraries Unlimited, 1983.

Perspectives on the Past, an Autobiography, Scarecrow, 1984.

(With John T. Flanagan and Harold W. Scott) More Memorable Americans, Libraries Unlimited, 1985.

Books in My Life, Library of Congress (Washington, DC), 1985.

(Compiler) Images of America: Travelers from Abroad in the New World, University of Illinois Press, 1987.

Scientific Enigmas, Libraries Unlimited, 1987.

A Dictionary of Eminent Librarians, High Plains Publishing (Worland, WY), 1990.

(With Jane B. Downs) Journalists of the United States: Biographical Sketches of Print and Broadcast News Shapers from the Late seventeenth Century to the Present, McFarland (Jefferson, NC), 1991.

Citations -