BARRETT,+Francis+Thornton

BARRETT, Francis Thornton (1838-1919) Birmingham 1866; 1CL Mitchell Library (GLASGOW) 1877; 1CL Glasgow 1899-1914 He came to Glasgow to inaugurate and administer the Mitchell, founded by a bequest from a tobacco magnate. Although handicapped by extremely poor accommodation, he built up the book stock during the first ten years to more than 80,000 - for the period a very substantial holding of reference and standard works. When GLASGOW began public library service he was the obvious first City Librarian. The new Mitchell building, which provided adequate accommodation for the first time, was opened three years before his retirement. He was LA President in 1907.