James E. Homans, editor

“ When at sales, such as the Robert Hoe sale in New York and the Huth sale in London, he was compelled to let many famous books go to those whom he granted a prior claim, he drew upon his inexhaustible fund of book lore and included among his purchases volumes which he felt confident would be famous when better known, books often unheard of by the ordinary collector, but which would delight the heart of the scholar. His library was a young man's library, the result of the use of large means, rare judgment, and an inborn instinct for discovering the best. ”

“ Harry E. Widener was prepared for college at Hill School, and entered Harvard University in 1903, being graduated in 1907. Immediately afterward he became connected with the extensive business and railway interests which the genius of his father and grandfathers had built up. Like them, however, he was not of a nature to be contented wholly with the mere amassing of wealth, but was keenly desirous to give to the world something of value — something it would not willingly let die. He inherited a love for books and art ”

“ He had acquired a library of valuable works which has the distinction of being the finest library ever collected by so young a man; had few peers as a collector; and was known among dealers as the most intelligent and discriminating of all American bibliophiles. Mr. Widener had been surrounded with fine books all his life, and he began his own remarkable collection while in college. ”