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A Guide to his Papers at the Indiana University Archives

Finding aid prepared by Allison Haack

Summary Information

Repository
Indiana University Archives
1320 East Tenth Street
Herman B Wells Library E460
Bloomington, IN 47405-7000
Phone: 812-855-1127
Email: archives@indiana.edu
http://www.libraries.iub.edu/archives

Creator
Byrd, Cecil K.

Collection No.
C567

Extent
2.6 cubic feet (3 boxes)

Language
Materials are in English

Abstract
Cecil K. Byrd was a long-time faculty member of the Indiana Universities Libraries, and in particular the Lilly Library. During the course of his career, he held the titles of Curator of Rare Books and Special Collections, Associate Professor, Assistant Director of Libraries, University Librarian, and finally professor and librarian emeritus. Byrd also served as Dean of Faculties and later director of the American University of Cairo. His personal papers consist largely of materials related to his activities after his retirement from Indiana University. Included in the collection are papers concerning the American University in Cairo, his work as emeritus professor and librarian at the Lilly, and a small amount regarding his published works.

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research. Advance notice required.

Biographical Note

Cecil K. Byrd was born on October 23, 1913, in Winchester, Kentucky. He received a bachelor of arts from Anderson College and earned both his masters and Ph.D. in history from Indiana University. After his graduation from IU, he was named curator of rare books and special collections.

The entry of the United States into World War II interrupted his career, and he served in the navy in the European theater. Upon his return to IU in 1946 after the war's end, he was named Assistant Director of Libraries. Byrd was also given the rank of Associate Professor.

He served as University Librarian from 1964-1972. He was instrumental in persuading J.K. Lilly to donate his collection of rare books and manuscripts to the University in 1956 and played an important role in helping the Lilly Library negotiate with the Lilly Endowment. Additionally, he played a role in the design and construction of the Lilly Library. Cecil Byrd was also highly influential in the donation of the Mendel Collection of books on Latin American history, donated to the Lilly Library by Dr. and Mrs. Bernardo Mendel.

In 1972, he accepted a position as Dean of Faculties of the American University of Cairo. From 1974-1977, he served as director of the American University of Cairo before returning to Indiana University as a professor and librarian at the Lilly Library. He officially retired from Indiana University in 1980, but remained active at the Lilly Library serving as professor and librarian emeritus until his death.

During the course of his career, Byrd also served in many additional positions, including librarian adviser to the National Institute of Administration in Jakarta, building consultant to the National Institute of Development Administration in Bangkok, Thailand, and at the Islamabad University in Pakistan. He was also academic consultant to King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Byrd authored several articles in academic journals, as well as several books. Books he authored, co-authored, or edited include Liberty's Legacy: Our Celebration of the Northwest Ordinance and the United States Constitution , Indiana University: A Pictorial History , Bernardo Mendel: Bookman extraordinaire, 1895-1967 , and Varsity Sports at Indiana University: A Pictorial History , among others.

Cecil K. Byrd passed away in Bloomington, Indiana, on April 16, 1997.

Arrangement

Collection is organized into one series of Correspondence.

Scope and Content Note

The collection is organized into a single series of correspondence and primarily consists of materials relating to the work of Byrd undertaken after his retirement from Indiana University and during his time as emeritus professor and librarian at the Lilly Library. Of particular interest are the files related to the Lilly Library Lincoln exhibit and corresponding booklet, as well as papers concerning Byrd's library consulting work outside of the United States.

• Indexing Terms

• The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in IUCAT, the IU Libraries' online catalog. Materials about related topics, persons or places can be found by searching the catalog using these terms.

• • Names
  • Byrd, Cecil K.--Archives.
  • Byrd, Cecil K.--Correspondence.
  • American University in Cairo--Administration--History--20th century--Sources.
  • Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington)
• • Topics
  • Library consultants--History--20th century--Sources.

Separated Material

Two floppy disks of photos were separated from main collection, moved to the IU Photograph Collection - Carmony, Donald F. Floppy Disk, 1991-1995 Lincoln Exhibit Floppy Disk, word Perfect 6.0, Undated. Contact Archives Photographs Curator for further information.

Related Material

Related photographs may be available in the University Archives Photographs Database: http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/archivesphotos/

Administrative Information

Container List