John Adams Lowe papers

John Adams Lowe was born on August 27, 1881 in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. After college, he first became Librarian at Williams College from 1910 to 1915. During World War I, he directed the library at Camp Devens, then served as Assistant City Librarian in Brooklyn from 1919 to 1931. From 1932 to 1952, he was director of the Rochester Public Library, during which time he oversaw the design and construction of the Rundel Memorial Building. Lowe retired in 1952 and returned to his hometown. Whiie on a cruise around the world, he passed away in Wellington, New Zealand on March 25, 1966. His body was returned to Fitchburg, where he is buried in Forest Hill Cemetery.

Lowe was known in his lifetime as an expert on library design and administration. He wrote two important textbooks on library operation and administration, typescripts of which are in this collection. He also consulted on the design of numerous libraries across the United States and Canada. Besides his work in national and international organizations, during his time in Rochester, Lowe was president of the City Club, Torch Club, Garden Center and Poetry Society.