This book, written by Harry Miller Lydenberg, is a biography of John Shaw Billings, who was a prominent figure in the development of medical and public libraries in the United States. Billings was instrumental in the creation of the National Medical Library in Washington, D.C., and he also served as the first director of the New York Public Library. The book provides a detailed account of Billings' life and career, including his early years as a military surgeon during the Civil War, his work as a medical librarian and bibliographer, and his contributions to the development of library science. It also explores Billings' personal life, including his marriage and family, as well as his friendships with other influential figures of his time. Overall, this book offers a comprehensive look at the life and legacy of a key figure in the history of American libraries and medical research.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.