Edward Christopher Williams

Infobox Person
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caption = Howard University
birth_name = Edward Christopher Williams
birth_date = 1871
birth_place = Cleveland, Ohio
death_date = 1929
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nationality = United States
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known_for = First African-American Professional librarian, Author
education = New York State Library
employer = Howard University
occupation = University Librarian and Instructor
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spouse = Ethel Chesnutt
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children = Charles Williams
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Edward Christopher Williams (1871 – 1929) is the first African-American professional librarian in the United States of America. His sudden death in 1929 ended his career when he was expected to receive the first Ph.D. in librarianship. Williams was born on February 11, 1871 in Cleveland, Ohio, to an African-American father and an Irish mother. Upon his graduation from Adelbert College of Western Reserve University in 1892 with distinction, he was appointed Assistant Librarian of Hatch library at WRU. Two years later, he was promoted to librarian of Hatch Library until 1909, when he resigned to assume the responsibility of the Principal of M Street High School in Washington D.C. He continued his career as University Librarian of Howard University until his death on December 24, 1929. [Josey, E. J., & Shockley, A. A. (1977). Handbook of Black librarianship. Littleton, Colo. : Libraries Unlimited]

Life

Edward Williams was the only son of Daniel P. Williams who was a respected personality in Cleveland, and Mary Kilkary Williams to Irish origin. Edward received his education in the public schools of Clevland, and earned a BA degree from Adelbert College of Western Reserve University on 1892. As a distinguished student, he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa fraternity.

Edward married Ethel Chesnutt in 1902, the daughter of the famous writer Charles Waddell Chesnutt, and they had one son. Charles Edward Williams, who became a lawyer, died before accomplishing the biography of his father.

Career

Williams began his library career in 1892 as an assistant librarian in Hatch Library of Western Reserve University. After two years, he was promoted to library director.In 1898, Williams took a sabbatical leave to pursue a Masters degree in librarianship at New York State Library [Josey, E. J. (1970). "The black librarian in America". Metuchen, N.J., Scarecrow Press] . He completed the 2 years program in one year, and went back to resume his responsibilities at Western Reserve University as Librarian and Instructor until 1909. During his Library career at Hatch Library, Williams developed an eminent library collection which lived until these days.

Prior to the establishment of the WRU Library School, Williams was teaching some courses in national bibliography. Upon opening the library school in 1904, he was appointed instructor of bibliography and reference.In 1909, Williams decided to resign from his position at WRU and he was appointed as Principal of the M Street High School (Dunbar High School) in Washington D.C., where he served 7 years. In 1916, Williams was elected head librarian of Howard University where he spent 13 years of his life serving the University Library and developing its collection. Williams also assumed additional responsibilities as professor of bibliography and instructor of German language. During his career at Howard University, he urged the need for professional personnel, and he worked on improving the quality of the library resources.

Library Associations

In addition to his profession as librarian and instructor, Williams collaborated in the establishment of many associations. He was a founding member of the Ohio Library Association (OLA), and was elected secretary in 1904. As a chairman of the Ohio Library Association’s College Section, he gave many speeches and lectures at the Ohio Institute of Library Workers. Williams was also a member of the American Library Association and assisted in its conventions and sessions. He gave a lecture in 1928 in a session of ALA’s College and Reference titled "Library needs of Negro Institutions".

Williams also served as vice-president of the New York State Library School Association in 1904.

Works

In parallel to his library profession, Williams was an author and translator as well. His works include: "The Exile" (an Italian classical drama), "The Sheriff’s Children", "The Chasm", and many articles, poems and short stories published in The Messenger Magazine, between 1925 and 1927.Williams’ main writings were based on the problems of Washington’s Black society as in his article “Letters of Davy Carr, a True Story of Colored Vanity Affair” published in the "Messenger". Sometimes, he was using a fake name ("Bertiuccio Dantino") to sign his articles.Williams excelled in 5 languages: English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. He translated some documents from different languages into English. At the beginning of his career, he received job offers to become a translator. [Johnson, R. M. (1922). Those Who Stayed: Washington Black Writers of 1920. "crisis", 23, 484-499.]

Death

Williams was preparing for advanced studies to earn the first Ph.D. degree in library science offered by Columbia University, when he unexpectedly died on December 24, 1929. The funeral was held at the Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel on Howard University campus, in the presence of the President of the University Dr. Mordecai Johnson who presided over the ceremony. Edward Christopher Williams was buried at Lincoln cemetery in Suitland, Maryland.

Williams admired Saint Augustine, and his favorite quotation was “Always proceed, never stand still nor go back nor deviate. Be always displeased at what thou art. If thou sayest 'I have enough,' thou diest,” [Porter, D. B. (1947). Phylon Profile, XIV: Edward Christopher Williams [Electronic Version] . Phylon, 8, 315-321. Retrieved 05/09/2008, from http://www.jstor.org/stable/271740] which was reflected clearly throughout his life and career.

Chronology

*1892: BA degree from Western Reserve University
*1892: Assistant Librarian in Hatch Library
*1894: Librarian of the Hatch Library
*1899–1900: Graduate Studies at New York State Library School
*1904: Faculty member at WRU Library School
*1904: Secretary of the Ohio Library Association
*1904: Vice-President of the New York State Library School Association
*1909: Principal of M Street High School in Washington DC
*1916: Professor of Bibliography, Director of the Library Training Class and Librarian of Howard University
*1929: Advanced study (PhD) offered by Columbia University was uncompleted because of illness and death

References