Ainsworth Rand Spofford
Ainsworth Spofford | |
|---|---|
Ainsworth Rand Spofford, c. 1870s | |
| Librarian of Congress | |
| In office January 18, 1899 – December 11, 1899 Acting | |
| President | William McKinley |
| Preceded by | John Russell Young |
| Succeeded by | Herbert Putnam |
| In office December 31, 1864 – July 1, 1897 | |
| President | |
| Preceded by | John Gould Stephenson |
| Succeeded by | John Russell Young |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Ainsworth Rand Spofford September 12, 1825 Gilmanton, New Hampshire, U.S. |
| Died | August 11, 1908 (aged 82) Holderness, New Hampshire, U.S. |
| Resting place | Rock Creek Cemetery |
Ainsworth Rand Spofford (September 12, 1825 – August 11, 1908) was the sixth Librarian of Congress. He was also a journalist and a prolific writer. He served as librarian from 1864 to 1897 under the administration of ten presidents. A great admirer of Benjamin Franklin, he wrote a twenty-one page introduction to Franklin's autobiography, which he edited and published.