Elizabeth Putnam SOHIER

(1847 - 1926)

(Réf. 3788 of our directory)
(Page created by Bernard Réf.:17)

   In 1909, Gouvernor Draper speak about 'Miss Sohier' in these terms :
   " Do not be wrong, she is the most skillful politician of the Massachusetts, more than no man..."


   It is in Beverly that Elizabeth Sohier is born. Daughter of William Sohier and Susan Cabot Lowell, she will consecrate her entire life, as her brother, colonel William D. Sohier, to the good of her community. What's more than to spend times and money to many philantropiques works, she is part of several clubs of which the prestigious "Mayflower Society".
   But it is the setting up of a network of free libraries that she dedicates her entire life. As early as 1890, she will direct the Massachusetts Public Free Library Commission. And, during more than thirty years, untiringly, she traverses the state in all the direction, helping to be founded in each community a public library, continually appealing politicians and benefactors in order to rains funds, favoring so the integration to the American society of numerous immigrants of this beginning of the XXth century. Little by little, on the model of the Massachusetts, the entire country will cover itself with free libraries.

   And this is not all ! She sets up a system of itinerant libraries. Then, during the first world-wide war, she organizes a network for the distribution of books to the soldiers before their departure on the European front.


Her house in Beverly
   Moreover, as before the fourteen years age, the children could not frequent the libraries, it is to them that she will consecrate the better of her efforts. Rooms will be reserved for them and various activities will attract them towards the literature. In 1926, in memory to her father, she creates to Beverly the "Sohier Fund" that, since, offer each year prices to meritants student and finance the initiatives taken by the libraries in favor of children.

Sources :
- " Pioneering Leaders in Librarianship " (Boston, 1972)
- rapport du " Board of Free Public Library Commission " (Boston, 1926)
- article du " Beverly Times " (10 novembre 1926)


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