H. R. Benjamin on the flight deck of U.S.S. Kitty Hawk in  1963. He

had been invited with other early naval aviators  ("Bald Eagles")   to a

Nav\'-sponsored reunion.

In Memoriam: Henry Rogers Benjamin

iMr. Henry Rogers Benjamin, whose death occurred on February 22,
was a generous and faithful friend of Columbia. When Dr. Carl M. White,
Director of the Columbia Libraries, undertook to revitalize our Friends'
association in 1951, he asked iMr. Benjamin to serve on the Organizing
Committee. The invitation was accepted, and Mr. Benjamin continued on
tlic Council of the I*'riends thenceforth until his death.

Mr. Benjamin's interest in Columbia began when his father, William
Evarts Benjamin, established here the ''Park Benjamin Collection." This
comprises books and manuscripts of New York authors, mainly of the
period 1830-1865. Over the years, Henry Rogers Benjamin has made
many notable additions, culminating in his recent gift of nineteen letters
from Mark Twain to Dorothy Sturgis, a member of Twain's "Angel-
Fish Aquarium." He also established, in 1944, *^he "William Evarts
Benjamin Collection," acting with his sister, the late Mrs. Aubrey Cart-
wright. This collection contains a magnificent group of early manu¬
scripts and printed books, modern first editions, and other works which
W. E. Benjamin had assembled during a lifetime as a bibliophile.

Mr. Benjamin will also be remembered for his help in establishing the
"Friends' Endowment for Rare Books and Manuscripts." When the fund
was proposed in the Council barel\- a year ago, it was understood that at
least 525,000 would be needed. Part of this could be spared from the gen¬
eral funds of the organization, but the bulk would have to come b\' w ay of
special gifts. Air. Benjamin at once offered to donate half of the needed
amount, pro\'ided the balance could be raised by December 31, 1966. The
goal was reached, and the endowment fund is a reality.

I'Or his interest and willingness to help in every conceivable way, he
will be remembered as one of Columbia's truest Friends.

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