John Crerar Library

The John Crerar Library is a research library, which after a long history of independent operations, is now operated by the University of Chicago. It is recognized as one of the best libraries in the country for research and teaching in the sciences, medicine, and technology. Throughout its history, the library's technology resources have made it popular with Chicago-area business and industry. Though privately owned and operated, the Library continues to provide free access to the public for the purpose of conducting research in science, medicine and technology. The library opened April 1, 1897, and is named for John Crerar, who first endowed the library, and who gained his wealth by founding a railroad supply firm.

History

John Crerar died in 1889. His will gave approximately $2.6 million of his estate to Chicago as an endowment for a free public library, selected “to create and sustain a healthy moral and Christian sentiment, and that all nastiness and immorality be excluded.” To comply with Crerar's wishes without duplicating existing area libraries, the directors decided to limit the collections to the sciences, including the history of science. In 1906, the directors expanded the library's mission to include medicine. Since 1951, the collection has focused on current science, technology, and medicine.

John Crerar

John Crerar may refer to:

John Crerar (Canadian politician)

John Crerar (September 22, 1848 – October 21, 1933) was a lawyer and political figure in Manitoba. He represented Minnedosa from 1881 to 1883 in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as a Liberal.

He was born in Perth County, Ontario and was educated in Stratford, at Upper Canada College and at the University of Toronto. Crerar was called to the Ontario bar in 1877. After practising law in Ontario, he came west in 1879, settling in Minnedosa, Manitoba in May 1880. Crerar was called to the Manitoba bar in 1881. In 1899, he married Ida May Porteous. Crerar was the first mayor of Minnedosa. He also practised law in Birtle with Charles Mickle and in Melita. He was elected to the Manitoba assembly in an 1881 by-election held after the western boundary of Manitoba was adjusted. Crerar did not run for reelection in 1883 but was defeated when he ran for reelection in 1886 and 1899. He retired in 1928 and moved to California, later dying in Long Beach.

References

John Crerar (gamekeeper)

John Crerar was the gamekeeper to the Duke of Atholl. He entered the service of the Duke in 1776, succeeding his father, Alexander Crerar, and remained an employee for more than sixty years. He is pictured in several paintings by Edwin Landseer, including The Death of a Stag at Glen Tilt and The Keeper John Crerar with his Pony.

He was an accomplished fiddler and composer and was a contemporary and pupil of Niel Gow, and his composition The Marquis of Tullibardine is still popular today.

He is alleged to have landed a 72 lb Salmon at Ferryhaugh, north of Dunkeld, 8 lbs heavier than the official record.

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