John Russell Young

John Russell Young
John Russell Young
7th Librarian of Congress
In office
July 1, 1897 – January 17, 1899
Appointed by William McKinley
Preceded by Ainsworth Rand Spofford
Succeeded by Herbert Putnam
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plentipotentiary to the Qing Empire
In office
August 17, 1882 – April 7, 1885
Appointed by Rutherford B. Hayes
Preceded by James Burrill Angell
Succeeded by Charles Harvey Denby
Personal details
Born (1840-11-20)November 20, 1840
County Tyrone, Ireland
Died January 17, 1899(1899-01-17) (aged 58)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Nationality American
Relatives James Rankin Young, brother
Known for Journalist, author, diplomat, librarian

John Russell Young (November 20, 1840 – January 17, 1899[1]) was an American journalist, author, diplomat, and the seventh Librarian of the United States Congress from 1897 to 1899. He was invited by Ulysses S. Grant to accompany him on a world tour for purposes of recording the two-year journey, which he published in a two-volume work.

Biography

Young was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, but as a young child his family emigrated to Philadelphia. He entered the newspaper business as a proofreader at age 15. As a reporter for the Philadelphia Press, he distinguished himself with his coverage of the First Battle of Bull Run. By 1862 he was managing editor of the Press and another newspaper.

In 1865 he moved to New York, where he became a close friend of Henry George and helped to distribute Progress and Poverty. He began writing for Horace Greeley's New York Tribune and became managing editor of that paper. He also began working for the government, undertaking missions to Europe for the US Department of State and the US Department of the Treasury. In 1872, he joined the New York Herald and reported for them from Europe.

John Russell Young
Illustrated Portrait 1888

Young was invited to accompany President Ulysses S. Grant on Grant's famous 1877-1879 world tour, chronicled in Young's book Around the World with General Grant.[2] Young impressed Grant, especially in China where Young struck up a friendship with Li Hongzhang. Grant persuaded President Chester A. Arthur to appoint Young minister to China in 1882. In this position he distinguished himself by mediating and settling disputes between the US and China and France and China.

In 1885 he resumed working for the Herald in Europe. In 1890 he returned to Philadelphia. In 1897 President William McKinley appointed him Librarian of Congress, the first Librarian confirmed by Congress. During his tenure, the Library began moving from its original home in the US Capitol Building to its own structure, an accomplishment largely the responsibility of his predecessor, Ainsworth Rand Spofford. Spofford served as Chief Assistant Librarian under Young. Young held the post of Librarian until his death.

His brother was Congressman James Rankin Young.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Dictionary of American Library Biography. (1978). Bohdan Wynar, ed. "Young, John Russell (1840-1899)." Littleton, Colorado: Libraries Unlimited. p. 584-586. ISBN 0-87287-180-0
  2. ↑ Around the World with General Grant, Online version at Hathitrust Digital Library
  • John Y. Cole (March 30, 2006). "Jefferson's Legacy: A Brief History of the Library of Congress -- Librarians of Congress". Library of Congress. Retrieved 2008-12-15.
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