Robert Waite Douglas

Robert Waite Douglas ((1854-07-15)15 July 1854 – (1931-01-09)January 9, 1931), known professionally as R. W. Douglas, was a Canadian librarian, bibliophile, editor, literary agent, author, and public speaker who served as Vancouver, British Columbia's chief librarian from 1911 to 1924 and as the first president of the British Columbia Library Association.[1] Under his direction, the Vancouver Public Library grew greatly in size, its circulation increased and a number of rare books were added to its collection as he worked to make the Vancouver Library one of the "finest libraries on the continent."[2][3]

Robert Waite Douglas
Robert Waite Douglas circa 1920
Born(1854-07-15)15 July 1854
New Durham, Ontario
Died9 January 1931(1931-01-09) (aged 76)
Los Angeles, California
Resting placeSan Gabriel Cemetery, San Gabriel, California, U.S.
OccupationEditor, Librarian
Spouse(s)
Williamina Whyman
​
(m. 1874)​

Eleanor Sara Follett
​
​
(m. 1877)​
Children7

Early life

Douglas was born in 1854 in New Durham, Ontario, the son of Alex and Elizabeth Douglas.[4] He developed a love for reading at a young age. After he had consumed the available reading material at his family’s home, he spent his spare time hunting muskrats for pelts which he sold to buy books.[2]

He received a high school education in nearby Brant, Ontario. Intending to matriculate at the University of Toronto, Douglas pursued further coursework under private tutors.[2]

In 1874, Douglas married Williamina Whyman, whose family had recently emigrated from Kent, England.[5] Williamina died 2 years later, leaving Douglas with 2 young daughters to care for. In 1877, Douglas married Williamina’s half-sister, Eleanor Sara Follett.[4] Together, they had 4 more daughters and 1 son.[6]

Career

Bookseller

Instead of continuing his education at the University of Toronto as planned, Douglas took a position with a bookseller in Toronto, Ontario.[2]

Alfred Piddington, owner of one of the largest book establishments in Toronto,[7] hired Douglas to manage his bookstore.[8] In 1883, Piddington sold his business to Douglas, who created the company R. W. Douglas and Co.[9] Douglas became a noted bookseller in Toronto.[10] Specializing in “rare and curious books, stationery, fancy goods, and toys,”[11] his inventory included approximately 75,000 books including works in "every department of literature."[12] His bibliography of Canadian books, Bibliotheca Canadensis, which was circulated in the United States, was used by dealers in old and rare books.[2]

Around 1889, Douglas sold his business to Risser & Company.[13] Following an extended trip to England, Douglas moved to New York City to join Brentano’s bookshop.[2] As a Brentano’s representative, he travelled extensively and visited hundreds of libraries in the United States and Canada.[6]

Author

While in Toronto, Douglas began contributing stories to magazines and papers, such as The Canadian Monthly.[14] He was awarded a prize for the best short story submission to Truth magazine.[2]

In 1921, Douglas wrote to author L. M. Montgomery, commending her for “visualizing the soul of the Canadian people in the war” and for accurately portraying the “storm and stress of home life during those anxious days” in her recent book, Rilla of Ingleside. Montgomery noted in her journal that Douglas’ comments pleased her and were the “first competent testimony” that she had been successful in capturing the essence of that time period in her book.[15]

A member of the British Columbia section of the Canadian Authors Association, Douglas served as Vice-Chairman.[16]

Investigations and Studies in Jade

Editor

Douglas became a literary adviser to the New Amsterdam Book Company, a large New York publishing house. He was appointed editor of their series of books published under the name Commonwealth Library and he contributed an introduction to each volume.[2] The Commonwealth Library books were offered at a low price and were designed to be carried "in the pocket."[17]

In 1901, Douglas' Love Songs of Scotland was published. Designed as a companion volume to Albert Lamartine's Love Songs from France, it contained works selected and edited by Douglas from Burns, Tannahil, Scott, Ramsay and others.[18]

After the death of Heber R. Bishop in 1902, Douglas assisted in editing Bishop’s partially completed Investigations and Studies in Jade, a two-volume set which documented Bishop’s extensive jade collection that had been donated to New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Douglas spent 3 years completing the work.[2] Of the 100 copies printed, Douglas helped secure 3 copies for Canadian institutions: the Toronto Public Library, the University of Toronto, and McGill University in Montreal.[19][20]

Literary Agent

Douglas later became an agent for E.P. Dutton & Company[21] and Little, Brown & Company, American publishing firms.[6]

Librarian

In 1911, Douglas accepted the position of City Librarian at the Vancouver Public Library (then Carnegie Library) in Vancouver, British Columbia.[2] Shortly after his arrival, he established a children's reading room[22] and initiated Saturday readings in the park for children.[23] Four branch libraries were opened in June 1912.[24] By 1914, an additional five branches had been opened.[25]

With the approval of the library’s board, Douglas returned to the East Coast in 1913 to purchase several thousand rare, “unusual,” and valuable books as well as artwork for the library.[26] Douglas also donated 250 books from his personal collection.[27] Under his direction, the library grew in size and its circulation continued to increase.[2]

Toward the end of his career, Douglas faced criticism from the board for his management of the library. Douglas contended that American libraries received more funds per capita than were allocated by the board to the Vancouver Public Library. Douglas submitted his letter of resignation in 1924.[28][29]

Public Speaker

As chief librarian, Douglas was a frequent lecturer on literary topics.[2] In 1911, Douglas addressed the convention of the Pacific Northwest Library Association on the topic of "Book Selection for Public Libraries." [30]

In 1913, Douglas delivered an address, which was subsequently published, to benefit St. Paul's Hospital, entitled "How Books May Help You."[31][32]

To foster the love of good literature within the Vancouver community and to help provide a means to enjoy it, Douglas offered free weekly lectures at the library on a wide range of poets and writers.[2]

British Columbia Library Association

In September 1911, the British Columbia Library Association was founded by Douglas and several of his colleagues. The association's purpose was to advocate for the passage of public library legislation and the extension of library services throughout the province. Douglas served as its first president.[1][33] The British Columbia Library Association was the driving force behind the passage of British Columbia's 1919 Act for the Establishment and Maintenance of Public Libraries.[34]

Death

Douglas died in Los Angeles, California on 9 Jan 1931 and is buried with his wife, Eleanor, at San Gabriel Cemetery, in San Gabriel, California.[35][36]

References
  1. "Library Work on Pacific Coast". The Vancouver World. Vancouver, British Columbia: 2. 12 Sep 1911. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  2. Hood, Robert Allison (Nov 1920). "Mr. R. W. Douglas, Vancouver City Librarian". The British Columbia Monthly: 15–16. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  3. "Canada in Books". The Vancouver World. Vancouver, British Columbia: 6. 4 May 1912. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  4. "Marriage record of Robert Waite Douglas to Eleanor Follett" (1877) [Textual record]. Marriage Registrations: Office of the Registrar General (RG 80-5, MS932, Reel 26), ID: 13562, p. 619. Toronto, Ontario: Archives of Ontario.
  5. "Marriage record of Robert Waite Douglas to Williamina Whyman" (1874) [Textual record]. Marriage Registrations: Office of the Registrar General (RG 80-5, MS932, Reel 16), ID: 11739, p. 461. Toronto, Ontario: Archives of Ontario.
  6. "R. W. Douglas Dies in South". The Vancouver Daily Province. Vancouver, British Columbia. 21 Jan 1931. p. 22. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  7. An Illustrated History of Southern California. Chicago, Illinois: The Lewis Publishing Company. 1890. p. 638. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  8. "W3800 TO REV THOMAS BAKER from R.W. Douglas". Whitehern Museum Archives. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  9. "Book Notices". Canadian Pharmaceutical Journal. XIX (4): 5. Nov 1885.
  10. Lamonde, Yvan; Fleming, Patricia Lockhart; Black, Fiona A. (2005). History of the Book in Canada: Volume Two: 1840-1918. University of Toronto Press. p. 232. ISBN 9780802080127.
  11. The Toronto City Directory (PDF). Toronto, Ontario: R. L. Polk & Co. 1889. p. 578. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  12. Bibliotheca Canadensis: a catalogue of a very large collection of books and pamphlets relating to the history, the topography, the manners and customs of the Indians, the trade and government of British North America. Toronto, Ontario: R. W. Douglas & Co. 1887. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  13. "Mammoth Book Store" (PDF). The Labor Advocate. 1 (1): 5. 5 Dec 1890. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  14. Flitton, Marilyn G. (1973). "The Canadian Monthly," 1872-1882 (PDF) (MA). Simon Fraser University. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  15. Rubio, Mary; Waterston, Elizabeth, eds. (1992). The Selected Journals of L. M. Mongtomery, Volume III: 1921-1929. p. 27.
  16. "The Passing Librarian". The British Columbia Monthly. Vancouver, British Columbia. XXII (6): 15. July 1924. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  17. Dixon, W. Hepworth (November 1902). A History of William Penn: Founder of Pennsylvania. New York: New Amsterdam Book Company. p. 338. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  18. Douglas, Robert W., ed. (1901). Love Songs of Scotland. New York: New Amsterdam Book Company.
  19. "Street Corners". The Daily Province. Vancouver, British Columbia: 24. 11 Feb 1911. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  20. Kunz, George Frederick (May 1906). The Printed Catalogue of the Heber R. Bishop Collection of Jade. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  21. "Many Apply for Post of Librarian". The Daily Province. Vancouver, British Columbia: 8. 5 Jan 1911. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  22. "Librarian's Report". The Daily Province. Vancouver, British Columbia: 26. 8 Aug 1911. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  23. "Leaves From a Woman's Notebook". The Daily Province. Vancouver, British Columbia: 14. 24 Jun 1911. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  24. "Four Branch Libraries". The Daily Province. Vancouver, British Columbia: 31. 8 Jun 1912. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  25. "To Get Library Site Object of Committee". The Sun. Vancouver, British Columbia: 3. 11 Feb 1914. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  26. "Priceless Tomes Brought From the East". The Daily Province. Vancouver, British Columbia: 4. 11 Jun 1913. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  27. "Library to Have Exhibit". The Daily Province. Vancouver, British Columbia: 24. 9 Jul 1913. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  28. "Librarian Douglas Tenders Resignation". Vancouver Daily World. Vancouver, British Columbia. LXXI (123): 1. 21 Feb 1924. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  29. "Librarian Douglas Resigns From Post". The Daily Province. Vancouver, British Columbia: 4. 22 Feb 1924. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  30. Douglas, R. W. (30 Sep 1911). "Book Selection for Public Libraries". The Vancouver World. Vancouver, British Columbia: 8, 10. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  31. "Librarian to Lecture". The Vancouver World. Vancouver, British Columbia: 32. 29 Mar 1913. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  32. Douglas, R. W. (1914). How Books May Help You. Vancouver, British Columbia: Burrard Publishing Company. ISBN 0665767412. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  33. Holmes, Marjorie C. (1959). Library Service in British Columbia: A Brief History of Its Development. British Columbia: Public Library Commission. p. 81.
  34. Kent, Allen; Lancour, Harold (1970). Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science: Volume 4 - Calligraphy to Church Libraries. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc. p. 102.
  35. Pittman, Richard. "Memorial Page for Robert Waite Douglas". Find a Grave. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  36. "Former Librarian Dies in South". The Vancouver Sun. Vancouver, British Columbia: 5. 21 Jan 1931. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
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