Last Updated on March 16, 2012 by
Brett, William Howard; librarian, Cleveland Public Library; born, Braceville, O., in 1846; son of Morgan Lewis and Jane Brokaw Brett; educated, public schools, Warren, O., studied Western Reserve College, Hudson, O., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.; graduated from Hiram College, Hiram, O., degree A. M.; married, Cleveland, 1879, Alice L. Allen; issue, 6 children, 1 deceased; appointed to his present position in 1884; devoted to the cause of public libraries, and a student with a broad general knowledge; instrumental in forming the Ohio Library Ass’n, pres., 1895 and 1896; in 1897, pres. of the American Library Ass’n; chairman, in 1898, of the Trans-Mississippi Library Congress; since 1903, Dean of Western Reserve Library School, and originator of the Culminative Index; member Chamber of Commerce and the Rowfant Club.