Acquisition Restricted Endowment Funds

This article details a variety of funding sources to increase the collection at the Folger Shakespeare Library.

The K. Frank and Joycelyn C. Austen Acquisitions Endowment

Established in 1994 with a gift from the Humana Foundation of Louisville, Kentucky, this endowment honors Dr. Frank Austen, a Life Trustee of Amherst College and physician at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, and his wife Joycelyn. Income from the fund supports the acquisition of books and manuscripts, with preference to those focusing on medical science and the history of human well-being.

The Gladys Brooks Acquisitions Endowment Fund

A gift in 1995 from the Gladys Brooks Foundation, of New York City, established this endowment. Income from the fund is used to purchase books, manuscripts, and special collections materials for the Library.

The Elizabeth L. Cabot Acquisitions Fund

Founded in 1993 by the friends and admirers of Elizabeth Lewis (Mrs. John Moors) Cabot, this fund honors the memory of Mrs. Cabot and her life-long interest in the books and manuscripts of the Folger collection.

The Colt Acquisitions Fund

This endowment fund was established in 1976 by Mrs. H. Dunscombe (Armida) Colt. Both Mrs. Colt and her late husband were long-time Folger patrons and enthusiastic book collectors, and Mrs. Colt continued an active association with the Library until her death in 2011. The first restricted acquisitions endowment at the Folger Library, the Colt Fund has provided invaluable support over the years for the purchase of books for the collection.

The Bertita E. Compton Acquisitions Fund [non-reporting]

This fund was established with a 1996 bequest from the estate of Bertita E. Compton, a long-time Friend of the Library who nurtured a special commitment to the acquisitions program. The income from her endowment is used to support additions to the Folger’s special collections.

The Ann Jennalie Cook Acquisitions Fund

A bequest from the estate of Dudley C. Fort established this endowment fund in 1995. The endowment honors Professor Ann Jennalie Cook—teacher, Shakespearean scholar, and Folger Library reader—and enables the purchase of books, manuscripts, and other materials that support research.

The Charlotte B. Dow Acquisitions Fund [non-reporting]

Mrs. Roger (Charlotte) Dow, a long-time friend and active supporter of the Library, named the Folger as a beneficiary in her will. In 1986, this bequest was used to establish the acquisitions quasi-endowment that now carries the Dow name. The fund supports modern acquisitions and special collections.

The Elizabeth L. Eisenstein Acquisitions Fund

A scholar, reader, and Folger Library Committee member since 2000, Dr. Eisenstein established this eponymous endowment in 1999. Income from the fund helps build the Library’s collections for the benefit of current and future scholars.

The Charles W. Engelhard Acquisitions Fund

In 1993, the Trustees of the Charles W. Engelhard Foundation created this acquisitions endowment fund, which helps support the purchase of early printed books, a particular strength of the Folger collection.

The Folger Acquisitions Endowment Fund [non-reporting]

This quasi-endowment fund was established in 1985 with proceeds from the sale of a manuscript found hidden in the binding of a book in the Folger collection. The fund resulting from this serendipitous discovery, supplemented over the years with contributions from readers, is used to acquire books, manuscripts, and other materials that support the research mission.

The Kathrine Dulin Folger and Family Acquisitions Endowment

This endowment was established in 1995 by her family in honor of Kathrine Dulin Folger, lifelong friend and supporter of the Folger Shakespeare Library who died in 1997. Income from the fund supports the purchase of books, manuscripts, and items for the Library’s special collections.

The Karen Gundersheimer Acquisitions Endowment

Established in 2002, this fund for the acquisition of 18th-century books and manuscripts was funded by a gift from Paul T. and Joanne Ruxin. Mr. Ruxin served on the Folger Library Committee from 1999 to 2005 and became chair of the Folger Board of Governors in 2007. The fund honors Karen Gundersheimer for her dedication and contributions to the life of the Library during her husband’s 18-year tenure as Director.

The Kenneth C. Hogate Acquisitions Fund

Kenneth H. Bacon, a former trustee of Amherst College and member emeritus of the Folger Library Committee, established this acquisitions fund in memory of his grandfather, Kenneth C. Hogate, in 1993. It supports the purchase of significant scholarly books.

The Elizabeth T. Kennan Acquisitions Endowment Fund

(Additional information to come)

The Richard J. Kuhta Fund for Library Acquisitions

His friends, admirers, and colleagues established this acquisitions fund to honor Richard Kuhta on the occasion of his 2008 retirement as Eric Weinmann Librarian of the Folger Library. Its purpose is to provide general support for the collection with a preference for association copies.

The Ruth Leila Hazel Hand Lefkovits Fund for Book Acquisitions [non-reporting]

Established in 1983 by the late Dr. Aaron Lefkovits in memory of his wife, this fund supports the purchase of books for the collection.

The Georges Lurcy Acquisitions Fund

A significant gift from the Georges Lurcy Charitable and Educational Trust established this book fund in 1987. Since then, income from the endowment has been used to strengthen the Library’s French Renaissance holdings, increasing both the scope and usefulness of the collection.

The Paul Mellon Rare Book Fund [non-reporting]

Mr. Mellon established this fund in 1991 for the acquisition of rare books and manuscripts. Dr. Gundersheimer has noted that the Mellon Fund “will forever play an important role in [the Library’s] efforts to maintain [its] collections as a fundamental national resource for research in the humanities.”

The Elizabeth Niemyer Acquisitions Fund [non-reporting]

The Chisholm Foundation of Laurel, Mississippi created this fund in 1993 in tribute to Elizabeth Niemyer, who began her career at the Folger in 1950 and retired as Curator of Acquisitions in 1992.

The Lee Piepho Acquisitions Fund

A gift from Lee Piepho, scholar and long-time Folger Reader, led to the establishment of this endowment in 2010. Income from the fund provides support for the acquisition of early printed books with an emphasis on Continental imprints.

The Paul Ruxin Acquisitions Fund

(Additional information to come)

The B. F. Saul Rare Book Acquisitions Fund

Established in 1995 with a gift from B. Francis Saul II and Chevy Chase Bank, this fund supports the purchase of rare books and manuscripts for the Folger collection. Mr. Saul served on the Folger Library Committee from 1986 to 1996 and is now a member emeritus.

The Lois Green Schwoerer Fund for Library Acquisitions

Established in 2008 with a gift from long-time Folger reader and scholar Lois Schwoerer, this fund supports the acquisition of books and materials for the Folger collection.

The Roger T. and Peggy M. Simonds Acquisitions Fund

A gift from the children of the late Roger T. Simonds and Peggy Muñoz Simonds, as well as memorial gifts from friends and colleagues, established this acquisitions endowment in 2000 to honor these distinguished scholars and long-time readers at the Folger. The fund supports rare and modern acquisitions in all formats.

The James B. Sitrick Acquisitions Endowment Fund

Mr. Sitrick, a member emeritus of the Folger Library Committee and an avid collector of books and prints, established this eponymous fund in 1995 to provide support for the purchase of books and materials for the Library’s collection.

The Albert H. and Shirley Small Acquisitions Endowment Fund

A gift from Mr. and Mrs. Albert H. Small established this fund in 1995. Funds from the endowment are used to purchase books and manuscripts for the Folger collection, with an emphasis on manuscripts. Mr. Small is a member emeritus of the Folger Library Committee and a noted collector of Early American books, maps, and letters.

The Professor Emile V. Telle Acquisitions Fund

This acquisitions fund was initially made possible in 1993 through the generosity of an anonymous donor. It was later augmented significantly by a lifetime gift from Professor Telle and a bequest from his estate. The Fund honors the late Professor Emile V. Telle, a distinguished authority on Renaissance studies and long-time Scholar-in-Residence at the Folger Shakespeare Library. The fund enables the acquisition of books, manuscripts, and other materials that support the research mission.

Trustees Fellowship and Acquisitions Fund

Established by the Trustees of Amherst College in 1987, this fund supports the acquisition of rare books, manuscripts, and special collections material. From time to time, it also provides small research grants to scholars who are not eligible for regular fellowships.

The Elizabeth A. Walsh Acquisitions Endowment Fund

(Additional information to come)

The Eric and Mary Weinmann Acquisitions Fund

The book acquisition fund established by Mr. and Mrs. Weinmann in 1993 has provided the means for the Library to acquire some of the Library’s most significant items in recent years. Mr. Weinmann, who died in 2006, was a long-time friend, benefactor, and member emeritus of the Folger Board of Governors.

The Mary and David S. Wolff Endowment Fund

Former Amherst College trustee David S. Wolff and his wife, Mary, established this endowment fund in 1999. Income from the fund supports the acquisition of rare, modern, and special collections material for the Folger collection.