Bernard Christian Steiner
Encyclopedia
Bernard Christian Steiner (born Guilford, Connecticut
, 13 August 1867; died 12 January 1926) was a United States
educator, librarian
and jurist
.
, then attended Yale
, where he graduated with a A.B.
in 1888, and a A.M.
in 1890. He was a Fellow in history at Johns Hopkins
, 1890–91 and received a Ph.D.
there in 1891. From 1891 to 1892, he was an instructor in history at Williams College
. In 1893, he was instructor of history at Johns Hopkins, and associate there from 1894 to 1911. He graduated from the University of Maryland
with degree of LL.B. in 1894.
In 1892, he became librarian of the Enoch Pratt Free Library
of Baltimore
, succeeding his father, Lewis Henry Steiner
, its first librarian. He occupied this position for the rest of his life, and to it he devoted his primary attention, his motto being “The Library is the continuation school of the people”, which motto however did not always ring true with his patrons, and was the source of some friction. He vigorously spread the influence of the library, increasing the number of branch libraries from six to 25 during his years of service.
He was dean and professor of constitutional law at the short-lived Baltimore University from 1897 to 1900, and was dean and professor of public law at Baltimore Law School from 1900 to 1904.
Guilford, Connecticut
Guilford is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States, that borders Madison, Branford, North Branford and Durham, and is situated on I-95 and the coast. The population was 21,398 at the 2000 census...
, 13 August 1867; died 12 January 1926) was a United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
educator, librarian
Librarian
A librarian is an information professional trained in library and information science, which is the organization and management of information services or materials for those with information needs...
and jurist
Jurist
A jurist or jurisconsult is a professional who studies, develops, applies, or otherwise deals with the law. The term is widely used in American English, but in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth countries it has only historical and specialist usage...
.
Biography
He prepared for college at the academy of Frederick, MarylandFrederick, Maryland
Frederick is a city in north-central Maryland. It is the county seat of Frederick County, the largest county by area in the state of Maryland. Frederick is an outlying community of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of a greater...
, then attended Yale
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
, where he graduated with a A.B.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in 1888, and a A.M.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in 1890. He was a Fellow in history at Johns Hopkins
Johns Hopkins
Johns Hopkins was a wealthy American entrepreneur, philanthropist and abolitionist of 19th-century Baltimore, Maryland, now most noted for his philanthropic creation of the institutions that bear his name, namely the Johns Hopkins Hospital, and the Johns Hopkins University and its associated...
, 1890–91 and received a Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
there in 1891. From 1891 to 1892, he was an instructor in history at Williams College
Williams College
Williams College is a private liberal arts college located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States. It was established in 1793 with funds from the estate of Ephraim Williams. Originally a men's college, Williams became co-educational in 1970. Fraternities were also phased out during this...
. In 1893, he was instructor of history at Johns Hopkins, and associate there from 1894 to 1911. He graduated from the University of Maryland
University of Maryland
When the term "University of Maryland" is used without any qualification, it generally refers to the University of Maryland, College Park.University of Maryland may refer to the following:...
with degree of LL.B. in 1894.
In 1892, he became librarian of the Enoch Pratt Free Library
Enoch Pratt Free Library
The Enoch Pratt Free Library, located in Baltimore, Maryland, is one of the oldest free public libraries in the United States. Established in 1882 after a grant from philanthropist Enoch Pratt, the library now includes twenty-two branches in Baltimore, plus the Central Library...
of Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, succeeding his father, Lewis Henry Steiner
Lewis Henry Steiner
Lewis Henry Steiner was a United States physician and librarian.-Biography:...
, its first librarian. He occupied this position for the rest of his life, and to it he devoted his primary attention, his motto being “The Library is the continuation school of the people”, which motto however did not always ring true with his patrons, and was the source of some friction. He vigorously spread the influence of the library, increasing the number of branch libraries from six to 25 during his years of service.
He was dean and professor of constitutional law at the short-lived Baltimore University from 1897 to 1900, and was dean and professor of public law at Baltimore Law School from 1900 to 1904.
Personal
He was a Presbyterian, and was survived by a son and his spouse, Ethel Simes Mulligan Steiner.Works
- Education in Connecticut (1893)
- Education in Maryland (1894)
- Citizenship and Suffrage in Maryland (1895)
- Institutions and Civil Government of Maryland (1899)
- Life of James McHenry (1907)
- Life of Reverdy Johnson (1914)