{"id":47,"date":"2020-07-29T21:26:40","date_gmt":"2020-07-29T21:26:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digitalexhibits.syr.edu\/sul-milestones\/?page_id=47"},"modified":"2020-08-03T22:46:41","modified_gmt":"2020-08-03T22:46:41","slug":"from-humble-to-world-class-the-von-ranke-library-purchase","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/digitalexhibits.syr.edu\/sul-milestones\/let-the-reader-emerge\/from-humble-to-world-class-the-von-ranke-library-purchase\/","title":{"rendered":"From Humble to World Class: The von Ranke Library Purchase"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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From Humble to World Class: The von Ranke Library Purchase<\/h1><\/div>\n\n

In 1875, the new University Librarian Charles W. Bennett, professor of history and logic at Syracuse University since 1871, went on a book-hunting trip to Europe thanks to a donation of $5,000 by his friend, University trustee and former president of Genesee College John M. Reid. He returned not only with over 4,500 volumes, but also with rumors that the library of his former professor Leopold von Ranke, one of the most eminent historians of the 19th century and then 80 years old, would be made available for purchase after von Ranke\u2019s death. Bennett told Reid that year: \u201cWhen Leopold von Ranke dies you must purchase his library for the historical department of Syracuse University. Then let the professors in each of the departments find friends to make like purchases for them and Syracuse will be the best furnished institution of the land for original and scholarly work.\u201d In 1888, thanks to Bennett\u2019s persistence and Reid\u2019s generosity, Syracuse University succeeded in purchasing one of the most famous private research libraries of the 19th century, adding 20,000 volumes to its collection on Reid\u2019s condition, however, that the university would provide a building for its library. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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