The history of the New York Society Library commences with the year 1700, when the "Public Library" of New York was founded, the Earl of Bellamont being then Governor of the Province.

The library thus organized appears to have gone on increasing, and to have acquired considerable importance. In 1729 the Rev. Dr. Millington, Rector of Newington, England, bequeathed his library to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, and by this society it was presented to the "Public Library" of New York, "for the use of the clergy and gentry of New York and the neighboring provinces." The whole collection of books was placed in charge of the Corporation of the city. Occasional reference is made to the library in the proceedings of the Common Council; but it appears to have suffered from want of attention and management until 1754, when an association of gentlemen was formed for establishing a public library. On the application of these gentlemen the books they had collected were incorporated with the public library, and the whole placed under the charge of trustees chosen by them. The institution was then, and for a long time afterward commonly designated as "The City Library.

In 1772, his Majesty King George III granted to it a charter under the style and title of "The New York Society Library," by which name it has continued to be known to the present day. The events of the war of the Revolution prevented any meeting of the trustees from 1774 to 1788, and nearly destroyed the library. In December, 1788, a meeting of the proprietors was summoned, and the following gentlemen were elected trustees: Hon. Robert R. Livingston, Robert Watts, Brockholst Livingston, Samuel Jones, Peter Keteltas, Walter Rutherford, Matthew Clarkson, Samuel Bard, Hugh Gaine, Daniel C. Verplanck, Edward Greswold and Henry Remsen.

Until 1795 the library was deposited in the City Hall, and the early sessions of Congress being held in New York, it formed at that time the library of Congress. In 1793 the first catalogue after the Revolution was printed. The library then contained 5,000 volumes.

In 1795 the library was removed from the City Hall to the new building erected for it in Nassau street, opposite the Middle Dutch church (now used as a post-office). In this building, which was one of the most conspicuous public edifices of that day, it continued until 1836, when the increasing commerce of the city compelling the trustees to seek another situation, the property in Nassau street was sold for $44,200, and a lot purchased on the corner of Broadway and Leonard street, sixty feet wide and one hundred feet deep, for the sum of $47,500. A catalogue was published in 1813, comprising 13,000 volumes: and in 1825 a supplement was printed, showing a total of 16,000 volumes.

In 1838 the New York Atheneum was finally merged in the New York Society Library. In 1840 the new building on Broadway was completed, at a cost of $74,000 and the library removed from the rooms of the Mechanics' Society in Chambers street, where it had been since 1836.

In 1849 a bequest of $5,000 was received from Miss Jane Demilt, and in 1853 the property in Broadway was sold, and the library removed to the Bible House, in Astor Place, where it remained until the spring of 1856, when it was again removed to the elegant and commodious building erected for it by the Trustees in University place, between Twelfth and Thirteenth streets, where it now is.

Printed catalogues of the library are known to have existed before the Revolution. The last one, prepared by the late librarian P.J. Forbes, Esq., was printed in 1850. A new catalogue, prepared by the present librarian, is now about to be published. The number of members in 1793 was 900; the present number is about 1,200.

Librarians: 1793, Isaac L. Kip: 1794, John Forbes; 1824, Burtis Skidmore; 1828, Phillip J. Forbes; 1855, John MacMullen; 1857, Wentworth S. Butler.

Possessing a fine building, containing agreeable reading-rooms for ladies and gentlemen, which are supplied with all the best foreign and American reviews, magazines, and newspapers, with a library of about 50,000 volumes, constantly augmented by the latest European as well as American publications, and entirely free from debt, the New York Society Library, by its past history as well as by its present condition offers unequaled attractions as a literary resort for the citizens of New York.

Trustees

Gulian C. Verplanck, Chairman
Otis D. Swan, Treasurer
William J. Hoppin, Secretary

Charles R. Swords William Adams Thomas W. Clerke Henry C. Dorr Stacy B. Collins William McMurray

Charles E. Strong Robert Lenox Kennedy John Romeyn Brodhead Thomas Ward William Allen Butler Evert A. Duyckinck

Library Committee: Robert Lenox Kennedy, William J. Hoppin, Evert A. Duyckinck, Charles E. Strong, John Romeyn Brodhead, Otis D. Swan.

Librarian: Wentworth S. Butler

Inspectors of Annual Election: Sylvester L'H. Ward, Albert Cardozo, Wm. Lewis Morris.

Terms

One Share (with annual dues commuted) $100.00
One Share (subject to annual payment of $6) $25.00
These shares do not merely give the use of the library, etc., but are interests in the real estate, books, etc., and can be bought and sold like any other stock.

Temporary Subscription

One Year ($10.00)
Six months ($6.00)
Three months ($4.00)
Persons entitled to use the establishment are: Members not in arrears for annual payments, fines, etc. Temporary subscribers. Strangers (for one month), when regularly introduced by members. Persons not members or subscribers have the privilege of consultation by the payment of 25 cents.