ESDAILE,+Arundell+James+Kennedy

ESDAILE, Arundell James Kennedy (1880-1956) British Museum 1903-1940 (Secretary 1926) He brought exceptional scholarly distinction to the LA through his long association, culminating in his Presidency during the War years (1939-1945) followed by his Honorary Fellowship in 1946. Prior to this he had been an outstandingly successful editor of //LAR// 1923-1935, an active member of the committee which brought the LA its first permanent HQ at Chaucer House, and first editor of //YW// (1928-1938). He was lecturer in bibliography at UCL SCHOOL from its inception in 1919 until 1939 and wrote for his pupils and others, //A// //student's manual of bibliography// (1931, third edition by R Stokes 1954). His other publications included //The sources of English literature// (1929); //National libraries of the world// (1934) and //The British Museum Library: a short history and survey// (1946).

Obit. //Times// 23 June 1956, p. 10; + 27 June 1956, p. 14