Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- Byrd, Cecil K.
- Abstract:
- Cecil K. Byrd was a long-time faculty member of the Indiana Universities Libraries, and in particular the Lilly Library. During the course of his career, he held the titles of Curator of Rare Books and Special Collections, Associate Professor, Assistant Director of Libraries, University Librarian, and finally professor and librarian emeritus. Byrd also served as Dean of Faculties and later director of the American University of Cairo. His personal papers consist largely of materials related to his activities after his retirement from Indiana University. Included in the collection are papers concerning the American University in Cairo, his work as emeritus professor and librarian at the Lilly, and a small amount regarding his published works.
- Extent:
- 2.6 cubic feet (3 boxes)
- Language:
- Materials are in English
- Preferred citation:
[Item], Cecil K. Byrd papers, Collection C567, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.
Background
- Biographical / Historical:
Cecil K. Byrd was born on October 23, 1913, in Winchester, Kentucky. He received a bachelor of arts from Anderson College and earned both his masters and Ph.D. in history from Indiana University. After his graduation from IU, he was named curator of rare books and special collections.
The entry of the United States into World War II interrupted his career, and he served in the navy in the European theater. Upon his return to IU in 1946 after the war's end, he was named Assistant Director of Libraries. Byrd was also given the rank of Associate Professor.
He served as University Librarian from 1964-1972. He was instrumental in persuading J.K. Lilly to donate his collection of rare books and manuscripts to the University in 1956 and played an important role in helping the Lilly Library negotiate with the Lilly Endowment. Additionally, he played a role in the design and construction of the Lilly Library. Cecil Byrd was also highly influential in the donation of the Mendel Collection of books on Latin American history, donated to the Lilly Library by Dr. and Mrs. Bernardo Mendel.
In 1972, he accepted a position as Dean of Faculties of the American University of Cairo. From 1974-1977, he served as director of the American University of Cairo before returning to Indiana University as a professor and librarian at the Lilly Library. He officially retired from Indiana University in 1980, but remained active at the Lilly Library serving as professor and librarian emeritus until his death.
During the course of his career, Byrd also served in many additional positions, including librarian adviser to the National Institute of Administration in Jakarta, building consultant to the National Institute of Development Administration in Bangkok, Thailand, and at the Islamabad University in Pakistan. He was also academic consultant to King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Byrd authored several articles in academic journals, as well as several books. Books he authored, co-authored, or edited include Liberty's Legacy: Our Celebration of the Northwest Ordinance and the United States Constitution, Indiana University: A Pictorial History, Bernardo Mendel: Bookman extraordinaire, 1895-1967, and Varsity Sports at Indiana University: A Pictorial History, among others.
Cecil K. Byrd passed away in Bloomington, Indiana, on April 16, 1997.
- Scope and Content:
The collection is organized into a single series of correspondence and primarily consists of materials relating to the work of Byrd undertaken after his retirement from Indiana University and during his time as emeritus professor and librarian at the Lilly Library. Of particular interest are the files related to the Lilly Library Lincoln exhibit and corresponding booklet, as well as papers concerning Byrd's library consulting work outside of the United States.
- Acquisition information:
- Accession 97/050
- Custodial history:
Transferred from the Lilly Library to the University Archives, July 2 and September 12, 1997.
- Processing information:
Processed by Allison Haack.
Completed in 2014.
- Arrangement:
Collection is organized into one series of Correspondence.
Access
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
Collection is open for research. Advance notice required.
- TERMS OF ACCESS:
-
The donor(s) of this collection have transferred their copyrights for the materials to the Trustees of Indiana University through a Deed of Gift. For more information, please contact the Indiana University Archives staff.
The Indiana University Archives respects the intellectual property rights of others and does not claim any copyrights for non-university records, materials in the public domain, or materials for which we do not hold a Deed of Gift. Responsibility for the determination of the copyright status of these materials rests with those persons wishing to reuse the materials. Researchers are responsible for securing permission from copyright owners and any other rights holders for any reuse of these materials that extends beyond fair use or other statutory limitations.
Digital reproductions of archival materials from the Indiana University Archives are made available for noncommercial educational and research purposes only. If you are the copyright holder for any of the digitized materials and have questions about its inclusion on our site, please contact the Indiana University Archivist.
- PREFERRED CITATION:
-
[Item], Cecil K. Byrd papers, Collection C567, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
-
Herman B Wells Library E4601320 East Tenth StreetBloomington, Indiana 47405-7000, United States
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- CONTACT:
-
812-855-1127archives@indiana.edu