Lawrence Clark Powell

Lawrence Clark Powell was an influential American librarian, bibliographer, and author whose leadership profoundly shaped the development of the UCLA library system and the study of Southwestern literature. A passionate advocate for the cultural and literary heritage of the American West, he served as the head librarian and later dean of the UCLA School of Library Service, transforming the institution into a major research center. His prolific writings, which include bibliographies, literary criticism, and personal essays, cemented his reputation as a key figure in 20th century American librarianship and regional scholarship.

Early life and education

Born in Washington, D.C., he spent his formative years in South Pasadena, California, developing an early love for the landscapes of the American West. He pursued his undergraduate studies at Occidental College, graduating in 1928, where he was deeply influenced by faculty and the liberal arts tradition. For postgraduate work, he studied at the University of Dijon in France before returning to California to earn a master's degree in literature from the University of California, Berkeley in 1932. His academic path later led him to the nascent UCLA to complete a second master's degree in librarianship, a decision that would define his professional trajectory.

Career and contributions

Powell began his library career at UCLA in 1938, swiftly rising to become the university librarian in 1944, a position he held for two decades. During his tenure, he oversaw the dramatic expansion of the UCLA Library's collections and its move into the new College Library building, aggressively acquiring materials to support advanced research. A founding dean of the UCLA School of Library Service in 1960, he championed a humanistic approach to library education, emphasizing the book as a cultural artifact. His scholarly contributions were vast, particularly in the field of bibliography, with major works on authors like Robinson Jeffers, John Steinbeck, and Joseph Henry Jackson, and he was instrumental in promoting the literature of the Southwest and California.

Personal life and legacy

He was married to Fay Ellen Shoemaker, a partnership that lasted over six decades and was central to his personal and professional life. Following his retirement from UCLA in 1966, he relocated to Tucson, Arizona, where he remained an active writer, lecturer, and consultant, contributing to institutions like the University of Arizona. His legacy endures through the Lawrence Clark Powell Award presented by the Los Angeles Public Library, the Lawrence Clark Powell Lecture Series at UCLA, and his extensive personal papers housed at the University of Arizona Libraries. He is remembered as a charismatic mentor who inspired generations of librarians and scholars with his erudition and passion for the printed word.

Selected works

His bibliography is extensive, reflecting his dual expertise in librarianship and regional literature. Key titles include *An Introduction to Robinson Jeffers* (1932), *Heart of the Southwest* (1955), *Books in My Baggage* (1960), and *Fortune & Friendship: An Autobiography* (1968). He also authored numerous essays and collections such as *The Little Package* (1964) and *Southwest Classics* (1974), which critically examined the canon of Western American literature. His works on library science, including *A Passion for Books* (1958), remain influential texts advocating for the intellectual and cultural role of libraries.

Awards and honors

Throughout his career, he received significant recognition for his contributions to literature and librarianship. He was awarded the California Library Association's highest honor and received the Western Literature Association's Distinguished Achievement Award. The American Library Association also honored him with the Joseph W. Lippincott Award for distinguished service to the profession. Furthermore, he held honorary doctorates from several institutions, including Occidental College and the University of Arizona, acknowledging his lasting impact on scholarship and cultural heritage.

Category:American librarians Category:American bibliographers Category:University of California, Los Angeles faculty Category:Writers from California Category:2001 deaths