To collect, organize, preserve, and provide access to the accumulated knowledge of civilization is the mission of the Hugh M. Morris Library of the University of Delaware. The strength of the University of Delaware Morris Library in meeting this mission rests upon the superior collections that have been created in the last 150 years, of which the rare books and manuscripts described in this catalog are a part. From its origin as a small college library with a handwritten catalog of thirty-five titles has emerged the University of Delaware Library with mature research collections that support a dramatic variety of academic programs. The creation of broadly based and highly respected research collections has not occurred by chance but has been created by dedicated librarians over many years who have worked closely with University faculty and administrators, friends, and alumni to bring into being distinguished library resources.
The rare book and manuscript collections have been enhanced by gifts of books, manuscripts, bequests, and donations from numerous individuals. For more than twenty-five years, the University of Delaware Library Associates have supported the acquisition of many treasures that are now in the Special Collections in the Morris Library. To every individual who has so generously given materials, thank you. Surely, adding books to a research library where they will remain in the collections for the use of students and scholars in the decades to come is a notable contribution.
The continuing interest and support of Dr. Samuel Lenher, former Chairman of the University of Delaware Board of Trustees and Chairman of the University of Delaware 150th Anniversary Advisory Committee; Mr. J. Bruce Bredin, Chairman of the University of Delaware Board of Trustees; Dr. E. A. Trabant, President of the University of Delaware; and Dr. L. Leon Campbell, Provost of the University of Delaware, deserve special recognition for the role each has played in bringing into being lovely and spacious new library facilities and in providing encouragement for building distinguished collections. Dr. Campbell's support for library needs ranging from the materials budget for books and journals to computer-based systems to staffing levels allows the University of Delaware to live up to its reputation of having broad and strong library collections, of offering an excellent quality of library service, and of having a dedicated and scholarly faculty, student population, and user community which use them.
A special thanks go to the Honorable and Mrs. G. Burton Pearson for the support of the Lammot du Pont Fund; to Mrs.Henry B. du Pont for many years of unswerving interest and unselfish devotion to the interests of the library; to the Unidel Foundation for support for collections and exhibits; to Mrs. Samuel Schwartz for assistance in creating collections of distinction in the American decorative arts; to Mrs. C. Lalor Burdick for creating the opportunity for distinguished collections to be given to Special Collections; and to Daniel Wolcott, president, and Gordon Pfeiffer, immediate past president, of the University of Delaware Library Associates for their leadership and dedication.
To all of these and to many others who have assisted the University of Delaware in building its library collections and new library facilities, thank you.
SUSAN BRYNTESON
DIRECTOR OF LIBRARIES
