Wilson, Louis Round, 1876-1979

Louis Round Wilson (27 December 1876-10 December 1979) was born in Lenoir, N.C., and, in the 1890s, attended Davenport College in Lenoir; Haverford College in Haverford, Pa.; and the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., from which he graduated in May 1899. After teaching for a few years, Wilson embarked on a long and distinguished career in librarianship, library science education, and university administration. Wilson served as librarian and first director of the School of Library Science from 1901-1932 at the University of North Carolina, and dean of the Graduate Library School at the University of Chicago, 1932-1942. From 1901 to 1932, Wilson served on many University of North Carolina committees, developed collections, and oversaw the planning and construction of two of the University's main libraries: the Carnegie Library in 1907 and the 1929 building that, in 1956, would bear his name. When he returned to Chapel Hill from Chicago in 1942, he resumed his many activities at the University, serving on numerous faculty and special University committees until he retired in 1959. He was a consultant to the president of the University from 1959 to 1969.

From the description of Louis Round Wilson photographic collection, circa 1860s-1980s. WorldCat record id: 43034504

Louis Round Wilson (1876-1979) was librarian and first director of the School of Library Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1901-1932, and dean of the Graduate Library School at the University of Chicago, 1932-1942. From 1901 to 1932, Wilson served on many University of North Carolina committees and was instrumental in founding both the University Press and the Extension Division; he also edited the "Alumni Review" for twelve years, 1912-1924. When he returned to Chapel Hill from Chicago in 1942, he resumed his many activities at the University, serving on numerous faculty and special University committees until he retired in 1959. He was a consultant to the president of the University from 1959 to 1969.

From the description of Louis Round Wilson papers, 1833-1985. WorldCat record id: 25280929

Louis Round Wilson (27 December 1876–10 December 1979) was born in Lenoir, N.C., the sixth child of Jethro Reuben and Louisa Jane Round Wilson. In 1909, Louis Round Wilson married Penelope Bryan Wright of Coharie. The couple had four children: Elizabeth, Louis Jr., Penelope, and Mary Louise (Mrs. Dean Stockett Edmonds Jr.). Wilson died just shy of 103 years old and is buried in the Old Chapel Hill Cemetery.

Wilson attended various Lenoir schools and worked as a typesetter and printer's devil from 1891 to 1894 before he enrolled in Davenport College in Lenoir in 1894. In 1895, he attended Haverford College in Haverford, Pa., where he also first worked in a library as an assistant. Wilson then transferred to the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., in the autumn of 1898, graduating in May 1899. In August of that year, he began teaching at Vine Hill Male Academy in Scotland Neck; the following year he taught at Catawba College in Newton.

In 1901, the University of North Carolina appointed Wilson as its librarian, a position he held until 1932 when he left Chapel Hill for the University of Chicago to become the dean of the Graduate Library School. During those 31 years, Wilson developed collections and oversaw the planning and construction of two of the University's main libraries: the Carnegie Library in 1907 and the building in 1929 that, as of 1956, would bear his name. He also trained staff librarians and taught courses in librarianship, joining the faculty in 1907.

In 1920, Wilson was named Kenan Professor of Library Science. Wilson returned to the University of North Carolina School of Library Science faculty in 1942. In 1951, he became special assistant for development to the chancellor and, in 1959, after retiring from the faculty, he accepted the position of special assistant to the president of the University of North Carolina system, from which he retired in 1969.

From the guide to the Louis Round Wilson Photographic Collection, circa 1860s-1980s, (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. North Carolina Collection Photographic Archives.)

Louis Round Wilson (1876-1979) was librarian and first director of the School in Library Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1901-1932, and dean of the Graduate Library School at the University of Chicago, 1932-1942. During the years 1901-1932, Wilson served on many University of North Carolina committees and was instrumental in founding both the University of North Carolina Press and the Extension Division. He also edited the Alumni Review for twelve years, 1912-1924.

Wilson was one of the pre-eminent librarians of his day. In addition to his duties as librarian at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he was active in state, regional, and national associations. He was an early advocate of public support for libraries in the South and worked with various regional educational associations to establish standards for school libraries. As dean of the Graduate Library School of the University of Chicago, he directed a program in graduate education for librarians which was a milestone in the history of professional librarianship in the United States.

Wilson was a prolific writer throughout his professional career. He contributed many articles to professional and education journals, wrote several books in the field of library science, and was author of two histories of the University of North Carolina.

When Wilson returned to Chapel Hill in 1942, he resumed his many and varied activities in the University. He was appointed to a number of faculty and special University committees until he retired in 1959. He was a consultant to the president of the University of North Carolina from 1959 to 1969.

From the guide to the Louis Round Wilson Papers, ., 1833-1985, (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.)