Henry James Carr

Henry James Carr (August 16, 1849 – May 21, 1929)^[1] was an American librarian.^[2]

Henry James Carr
Henry James Carr in November 1913
President of the American Library Association
In office 1900–1901
Preceded by	Reuben Gold Thwaites
Succeeded by	John Shaw Billings
Personal details
Born	(1849-08-16)August 16, 1849 Pembroke, New Hampshire, US
Died	May 21, 1929(1929-05-21) (aged 79) Scranton, Pennsylvania, US
Alma mater	University of Michigan
Occupation	Librarian

Carr was raised in New Hampshire and Grand Rapids, Michigan. He worked as an accountant and cashier in railway offices from 1867 to 1886. During that time, he studied law at the University of Michigan, gaining admission to the bar in 1879, but he never practiced law. In 1886, Carr was named librarian for the Grand Rapids Public Library, where he worked until 1890 when he was recruited to create a new public library for the residents of Saint Joseph, Missouri. In 1891 he moved to Scranton, Pennsylvania, to assist them in establishing their public library.^[3][4]

Carr served as the president of the American Library Association from 1900 to 1901.^[5] He also served as the association's secretary from 1898 to 1900 and its treasurer from 1886 to 1893.^[6]

Carr was married to Edith Wallbridge, first State Librarian of Illinois, who was also the unofficial statistician and antiquarian of the American Library Association.^[7] The American Library Association Archives has characterized them as "ALA’s Golden Couple."^[8]

Carr served as Librarian in Scranton until his death in 1929.^[9]

See also

• Albright Memorial Building