15 Facts About Emerson Greenaway

Emerson Greenaway was an American librarian of considerable note, particularly during the Cold War era of the 1950s.

Emerson Greenaway was a highly respected scholar and an advocate for intellectual freedom in wartime.

Emerson Greenaway was educated at the University of North Carolina School of Information and Library Science.

Emerson Greenaway eventually received honorary degrees from both Wheaton College and Drexel University.

Emerson Greenaway was a longtime advocate of adult education but placed a great deal of emphasis on children's within the Pratt Library.

In 1951, Emerson Greenaway stepped down as director of the Pratt Library to begin his position as head of Philadelphia's Free Library.

Emerson Greenaway was a vocal proponent of federal funding for libraries rather than requiring smaller communities to take on the bulk of the financial burden.

Emerson Greenaway supported the concept of urban library systems which would consolidate the collections and resources of many smaller rural libraries into one more expansive system.

However, Emerson Greenaway supported anti-communist measures by the United States and was privately thought by many to be a supporter of Joseph McCarthy.

Emerson Greenaway argued that one of the main purposes of public access to information was to educate the masses against beliefs he found undesirable, such as communism.

The height of Emerson Greenaway's career was from 1958 to 1959, during which time he served as president of the American Library Association.

Emerson Greenaway was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1960.

Emerson Greenaway continued to serve on several task forces for the ALA.

Emerson Greenaway received a special citation in 1976 at the centennial of the Association.

Emerson Greenaway continued to volunteer in libraries until close to his death.