Underhill: A Legacy of Library Science and Suffrage
The evolution of modern academic libraries owes much to the dedicated professionals who transitioned collections from simple archives into organized systems of knowledge. One such figure was Underhill, a pioneering librarian and advocate whose career at Vassar College helped set a standard for liberal arts libraries in the United States.
Early Life and Academic Foundation
Born in 1860 in Brooklyn and later residing in Skaneateles, New York, Underhill pursued her higher education at Vassar College, graduating in 1888. During her time as a student, she developed a profound admiration for her teacher, Lucy Maynard Salmon, who would eventually become her lifelong companion.
To professionalize her passion for organization, Underhill attended Columbia University, where she studied library science—the intellectual structure and professional practice of organizing and managing libraries. She earned her master's degree in 1890, preparing her for a transformative role in academic administration.
Transforming the Vassar College Library
In 1892, Frances A. Wood, the librarian at Vassar, hired Underhill with a specific mandate: to establish a "modern library system" for the institution. Underhill took on the monumental task of cataloging the college's 15,000-volume collection, working largely independently.
To achieve this, she implemented the Dewey Decimal System, a proprietary system of library classification that organizes books by subject. Through her diligent work and the support of Lucy Maynard Salmon, the Vassar library grew into one of the most impressive collections among liberal arts colleges.
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Professional Ascent and Recognition
Underhill's expertise led to a steady rise in leadership. By 1910, she had attained the position of Associate Librarian and represented the institution on a global stage at the International Congress of Librarians in Brussels. Her career culminated in 1922 when she was appointed chief librarian, a role she held until her retirement in 1928.
Her contributions were permanently honored in 1935 when the Thompson Memorial Library expanded; one of the newly constructed wings was named in her honor.
Advocacy and Personal Life
Beyond the library stacks, Underhill was an active suffragist, fighting for women's right to vote. She demonstrated her commitment to the cause by marching in a 1913 suffrage parade in New York City. By 1916, she and Salmon exercised their civic rights by voting on a proposition to improve the water main system in Poughkeepsie, New York.
Underhill and Salmon shared a deep personal bond, living together off-campus in a house in Poughkeepsie starting in 1901. Following Salmon's death in 1927, Underhill was granted her life estate. She further honored Salmon's memory by assisting Vassar professor Louise Fargo Brown in collecting and organizing materials for a biography of Salmon.
Key Facts
- Education: Graduated from Vassar College (1888) and earned a Master's in Library Science from Columbia University (1890).
- Major Achievement: Cataloged 15,000 volumes at Vassar using the Dewey Decimal System.
- Career Peak: Served as the chief librarian of Vassar College until 1928.
- Civic Action: Participated in the 1913 New York City suffrage parade.
- Legacy: A wing of the Thompson Memorial Library is named after her.
| Year | Event/Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1860 | Born in Brooklyn, New York |
| 1888 | Graduated from Vassar College |
| 1890 | Earned Master's degree from Columbia University |
| 1892 | Hired to modernize the Vassar library system |
| 1910 | Became Associate Librarian; attended Congress of Librarians in Brussels |
| 1913 | Marched in New York City suffrage parade |
| 1922 | Appointed Chief Librarian of Vassar |
| 1928 | Retired from Vassar College |
| 1935 | Library wing named in her honor |
| 1936 | Passed away on April 24 in Poughkeepsie |
Frequently Asked Questions
What system did Underhill use to organize the Vassar library?
Underhill used the Dewey Decimal System to catalog the library's 15,000-volume collection, transforming it into a modern system.
Where did Underhill study library science?
She earned her master's degree in library science from Columbia University, graduating in 1890.
How was Underhill involved in the women's suffrage movement?
Underhill was a suffragist who marched in a 1913 suffrage parade in New York City and voted on local propositions in Poughkeepsie by 1916.
Who was Lucy Maynard Salmon?
Lucy Maynard Salmon was Underhill's teacher at Vassar College and became her lifelong companion; the two lived together in Poughkeepsie for over thirty years.
How is Underhill's legacy preserved at Vassar College?
Her legacy is preserved through a wing of the Thompson Memorial Library, which was named after her during an expansion in 1935.