Scope and Content Note
The papers of William Dawson Johnston (1871-1928) span the years 1842-1927 with the bulk of the materials dated 1904-1920. The collection includes correspondence, memoranda, reports, lists, notes, writings, photographs, and clippings and other printed material.
The collection relates chiefly to Johnston's employment as a librarian and to the history of librarianship. Included are notes for a projected second volume of his History of the Library of Congress. Johnston also amassed files relating to other libraries, their subject fields, services, statistics, and history for a study of college and university libraries. Other material documents Johnston's service at Columbia University Library (1909-1914), Saint Paul Public Library (1914-1921), and the Library of Congress (1900-1907, 1926-1928).
Correspondents include Melvil Dewey and Herbert Putnam.