Robert Waite Douglas

Robert Waite Douglas ( – ), known professionally as R. W. Douglas, was a Canadian librarian, bibliophile, editor, literary agent, author, and public speaker who served as Vancouver, British Columbia's chief librarian from 1911 to 1924 and as the first president of the British Columbia Library Association. Under his direction, the Vancouver Public Library grew greatly in size, its circulation increased and a number of rare books were added to its collection as he worked to make the Vancouver Library one of the "finest libraries on the continent."

Early life Douglas was born in 1854 in New Durham, Ontario, the son of Alex and Elizabeth Douglas. He developed a love for reading at a young age. After he had consumed the available reading material at his family's home, he spent his spare time hunting muskrats for pelts which he sold to buy books. Williamina died 2 years later, leaving Douglas with 2 young daughters to care for. In 1877, Douglas married Williamina's half-sister, Eleanor Sara Follett.

Career Bookseller Instead of continuing his education at the University of Toronto as planned, Douglas took a position with a bookseller in Toronto, Ontario. hired Douglas to manage his bookstore. In 1883, Piddington sold his business to Douglas, who created the company R. W. Douglas and Co. Douglas became a noted bookseller in Toronto. Specializing in "rare and curious books, stationery, fancy goods, and toys," his inventory included approximately 75,000 books including works in "every department of literature." His bibliography of Canadian books, Bibliotheca Canadensis, which was circulated in the United States, was used by dealers in old and rare books. Following an extended trip to England, Douglas moved to New York City to join Brentano's bookshop. He was awarded a prize for the best short story submission to Truth magazine.

A member of the British Columbia section of the Canadian Authors Association, Douglas served as vice-chairman.

Editor Douglas became a literary adviser to the New Amsterdam Book Company, a large New York City publishing house. He was appointed editor of their series of books published under the name Commonwealth Library and he contributed an introduction to each volume.

In 1901, Douglas' Love Songs of Scotland was published. Designed as a companion volume to Albert Lamartine's Love Songs from France, it contained works selected and edited by Douglas from Burns, Tannahil, Scott, Ramsay and others.

After the death of Heber R. Bishop in 1902, Douglas assisted in editing Bishop's partially completed Investigations and Studies in Jade, a two-volume set which documented Bishop's extensive jade collection that had been donated to New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. Douglas spent 3 years completing the work.

Literary Agent Douglas later became an agent for E.P. Dutton & Company and Little, Brown & Company, American publishing firms. and initiated Saturday readings in the park for children. Four branch libraries were opened in June 1912. By 1914, an additional five branches had been opened.

With the approval of the library's board, Douglas returned to the East Coast in 1913 to purchase several thousand rare, "unusual," and valuable books as well as artwork for the library. Douglas also donated 250 books from his personal collection. Under his direction, the library grew in size and its circulation continued to increase.

Public Speaker As chief librarian, Douglas was a frequent lecturer on literary topics.

In 1913, Douglas delivered an address, which was subsequently published, to benefit St. Paul's Hospital, entitled "How Books May Help You."

To foster the love of good literature within the Vancouver community and to help provide a means to enjoy it, Douglas offered free weekly lectures at the library on a wide range of poets and writers. The British Columbia Library Association was the driving force behind the passage of British Columbia's 1919 Act for the Establishment and Maintenance of Public Libraries.

Death Douglas died in Los Angeles, California on January 9, 1931, and is buried with his wife, Eleanor, at San Gabriel Cemetery, in San Gabriel, California.