C.B. (Caleb Benjamin) Tillinghast (1843-1909) was a librarian, journalist, educator and public servant whose long career left a lasting mark on the Massachusetts State House Library. A graduate of Dartmouth College, he began his professional life as a teacher and journalist, moving to Boston before turning to public service. In 1888, he was promoted to be the Massachusetts State Librarian. As part of his responsibilities, he was appointed in 1890 as commissioner and chair for the newly formed Free Public Library Commission. He held both of these positions dutifully until his in 1909.
- How did Tillinghast champion libraries in Massachusetts?
Tillinghast worked tirelessly for the Commonwealth’s libraries, promoting education and helping to establish libraries in towns where none yet existed. He advised officials on a wide range of issues, offering guidance to libraries, municipalities, donors, and publishers alike. Through his dedication and advocacy, Tillinghast not only expanded access to libraries across Massachusetts but also elevated the public’s understanding of their importance—spreading the value of libraries and the vital role of librarians in strengthening communities.
2. How did Tillinghast’s work challenge the cultural, social, or political norms of the late 1800s and early 1900s?
Caleb Benjamin Tillinghast’s work challenged the cultural and social norms of the late 1800s and early 1900s by promoting the radical idea that access to knowledge should be universal, not limited by class, gender, or geography. At a time when education and information were often reserved for the privileged, he championed the establishment of free public libraries across Massachusetts, ensuring that every community could benefit from learning and literacy. His advocacy for libraries as democratic institutions helped shift public perception—positioning them as essential to civic life and social progress.
3. What personal experiences shaped Tillinghast’s tenure as a library Commissioner?
Tillinghast’s passion for education shaped his work as a Library Commissioner. His early years as a teacher and local official taught him the value of public institutions. Before leading the Free Public Library Commission, he served as clerk and treasurer of the State Board of Education. He helped expand public education across Massachusetts. His vision strengthened ties between schools and libraries, promoting learning and access to knowledge for all.
4. How does Tillinghast’s impact still resonate in today’s libraries, and what can we learn from his legacy?
Tillinghast’s impact endures in the strong network of public libraries that continues to serve communities across Massachusetts. His belief in equal access to information laid the foundation for libraries as inclusive spaces for learning, connection, and civic engagement. Through his leadership, Tillinghast advanced the idea of libraries as essential civic institutions, promoting education, democratic participation, and equal access to knowledge.
5. An MBLC Favorite Quote about Commissioner Tillinghast:
“Governors, senators, and the more humble Boston representatives of foreign parentage turned to him with equal faith in his wisdom. It became a byword in the corridors there to ‘see Tillinghast.’” –Charles Knowles Bolton
These words about Tillinghast capture the deep respect and trust he earned throughout his career. Tillinghast had the ability to bridge divides—social, political, and cultural—through his integrity, knowledge, and dedication to public service. Tillinghast’s influence extended far beyond libraries.
6. Interesting fact(s) about Tillinghast:
- A brief memoir about Tillinghast recounts that he “walked five miles on Saturdays to get books from an association library to supplement the meagre instruction of the school-room.”
- Throughout his tenure at State Librarian, Tillinghast was offered several positions by other organizations, including head of the Boston Public Library.
- Tillinghast wrote over 75,000 letters to family members, town clerks, and officials in local historical societies to gather information on Massachusetts legislators and created what is now know as the Massachusetts Legislative Biographical File Database.
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) turns 135 years old this year and will once again celebrate with the Commissioner Awards honoring individuals who have carried forward the legacy of the founding Commissioners and who have made outstanding contributions to Massachusetts libraries and the residents they serve. You can read about the other founding Commissioners at: https://mblc.state.ma.us/mblc_blog/category/commr/