Edwin H. Anderson


Edwin Hatfield Anderson was a prominent American library leader during the first third of the 20th century, serving as director of both the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and the New York Public Library. He also served as the president of the American Library Association in 1913-14.

Personal life

Anderson worked with Andrew Carnegie to create the Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1895, and served as the director of that library until 1904, when he stepped down because he could not afford to support his family on the salary. After a two-year stint as the head of the New York State Library and Library School, Anderson became the director of the New York Public Library in 1909, a position he held until 1934.
As a library leader, Anderson was best remembered for the librarian education programs he established in both Pittsburgh and New York City.
Anderson was married, with at least two children, daughters Charlotte and Cecile. He died in Evanston, Illinois.