John Christopher Schwab

John Christopher Schwab (April 1, 1865 – January 12, 1916) was an American educator and librarian from Connecticut. A historian of political economy, he was a professor at Yale University and served as the librarian of the Yale University Library from 1905 until his death.

Early life John Christopher Schwab was born on April 1, 1865, in New York City, to Catherine Elizabeth (née vonPost) and Gustav Schwab. His father was a member of the firm Oelrichs & Company. He was named for his great-grandfather, a privy counselor of Stuttgart, Germany. His paternal grandfather was poet Gustav Schwab. Through his mother, he was related to Lutheran Church founder Henry Muhlenberg. He sang in the Class Glee Club when he was a sophomore and then was a member of the Second Glee Club. He was an editor of the Yale Courant in his senior year.

Career Schwab conducted historical research at the libraries of New York City. In the fall of 1890, he became a lecturer of political economy at Yale. He became an instructor in 1891. He was promoted to assistant professor in 1893 and became a full professor in 1898. They had two children, Katharine Fisher and Norman vonPost. His sister married Henry Charles White. He was a member of St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church and served as its Sunday school superintendent.

Schwab died of pneumonia on January 12, 1916, at his home on Prospect Street in New Haven, Connecticut. He was buried in Grove Street Cemetery in New Haven.

Awards In 1911, Schwab received an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from Muhlenberg College.