Construction and Evolution of Union Theological Seminary Campus

Library > Library Foundation

Foundations - Early Collections of Note

These photographs depict the building gaining its foundation, but the Union Library already had a significant amount of books and collections.

The first large collection of note was that of a monk named Leander van Ess of Marburg. The collection included 14,000 volumes, containing 37 manuscripts and 420 incanabula, a rich collection of material on the Reformation, Biblical literature, church history and theology. The Van Ess library cost the Seminary $5,070.08 in 1838.

The McAlpin Collection of British History and Theology was another well-known collection, and had regular additions. It was named in honor of David Hunter McAlpin, a generous Union director.

Foundations - Early Librarians

  • Edward Robinson, 1840-1851
  • Henry B. Smith, 1851-1877
  • Charles Augustus Briggs, 1877-1883
  • Charles Ripley Gillett, 1883-1908
  • William Walker Rockwell, 1908-1913

The Burke Library (Columbia University Libraries) / 3041 Broadway at 121st Street / New York, NY 10027 / (212) 851-5606 / burke@libraries.cul.columbia.edu