SEVERE LOSS TO THE UNIVERSITY

Thomas J. Kiernan, Superintendent of the Delivery Department of the University Library and for 59 years in the service of the University, died on July 31, at the age of 77. Mr. Kiernan, a familiar figure to all who have used the library, has made himself useful and in various ways indispensable to many generations of Harvard men and scholars by his remarkable familiarity, with the Library's collections and his ready helpfulness.

He was born in Cambridge on July 27, 1837, and at the age of 17 was appointed janitor of the College Library, in the place of his father, who had for 29 year, in his turn, been "distributing books and extending courtesies" in the words of Mr. Sibley, one-time librarian. From this position he graduated to that which he held at his death, which is the more remarkable since the period saw the introduction of system and an increase in size of the Library that revolutionized the requirements of the post. Mr. Kiernan was able to do this because of his good sense in receiving new changes and because of his remarkable memory and natural aptitude. In 1892 the College confered upon him the honorary degree of A.M., in recognition of his services.