- John Russell Young
John Russell Young (
November 20 ,1840 –January 17 ,1899 ) an American journalist, author, diplomat, and the seventhLibrarian of Congress , serving from 1897 to 1899.Young was born in
County Tyrone ,Ireland , but as a young child his family emigrated toPhiladelphia . He entered the newspaper business as a proofreader at age 15. As a reporter for the "Philadelphia Press ", he distinguished himself with his coverage of theBattle of Bull Run . By 1862 he was managing editor of the "Press" and another newspaper. In 1865 he moved toNew York . He began writing forHorace Greeley 's "New York Tribune " and became managing editor of that paper. He also began working for the government, undertaking missions toEurope for theUS Department of State and theUS Department of the Treasury . In 1872, he joined the "New York Herald " and reported for them from Europe.Young was invited to accompany President
Ulysses S. Grant on Grant's famous 1877-1879 world tour, chronicled in Young's book "Around the World with General Grant". Young impressed Grant, especially inChina where Young struck up a friendship withLi Hongzhang . Grant persuaded PresidentChester A. Arthur to appoint Young minister to China in 1882. In this position he distinguished himself by mediating and settling disputes between the US and China andFrance and China.In 1885 he resumed working for the "Herald" in Europe. In 1890 he returned to Philadelphia. In 1897 President
William McKinley appointed him Librarian of Congress, the first Librarian confirmed by Congress. During his tenure, the Library began moving from its original home in theUS Capitol Building to its own structure, an accomplishment largely the responsibility of his predecessor,Ainsworth Rand Spofford . Spofford served as Chief Assistant Librarian under Young. Young held the post of Librarian until his death.His brother was Congressman
James Rankin Young .External links
*Find A Grave|id=19538510
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