Profiles of Washington Territorial Librarians – Eliza Des Saure Newell, 1882-1887
From the Desks of the Central Library Staff Eliza Des Saure Newell, 1882-1887 The longest serving Territorial Librarian was born in 1853 in New Jersey. In 1882 her father, the eccentric William Augustus Newell, was the Governor. Gov. Newell had appointed his daughter Eleanor as his personal secretary. His other daughter, Eliza, he appointed to the post of Territorial Librarian. The Governor’s nepotism forced the Legislature to change the Territorial laws regarding women in office. Maryan Reynolds picks up the…