WWI
Albert Edgar Lownes was frequently described as a "renaissance man." Known for his collection of rare books, now housed in the John Hay Library, Lownes taught biology for thirty years at the Brown. He was one of the first Boy Scouts in the state, a scholar, a teacher, a naturalist, and a textile executive.
Lownes' love of books came early. He grew up on the edge of campus, with his younger brother Edgar John Lownes, Jr (class of 1923). Their father was Edgar John Lownes (BP 234), founder of the American Silk Spinning Company. As he was growing up, "Al" loved to visit both the Annmary Brown Memorial (BP 216) and the John Hay Library. He visited the John Hay Library for the first time at age eleven. George Parker Winship, the director and librarian at the John Carter Brown Library, used to enthral Lownes with the many treasures housed there. This was the seed of Lownes' great love of books.
He collected books in several fields, but his collection of science books is nationally recognized for its excellence. He spent forty years forming the collection, and took great pride in it.
Once when Lownes was browsing in a bookstore during a trip to California, a dealer offered him an important book on the history of science for a considerable sum. Lownes' companion asked if he planned to buy it. Al paused and with a straight face modestly said "That book I've had for some years. I think I paid $3.00 for it."
In his lifetime, Lownes saw the history of science recognized as a field of study in leading universities. He often made it clear that his collection was a collection of significant books of science from which the History of Science might be written.
On the occasion of his fiftieth class reunion, in 1970, Lownes presented Brown with his outstanding set of the elephant folio edition of The Birds of America by John J. Audubon. Three years earlier, in 1967, he had presented Brown with his extensive collection on Henry David Thoreau. The gift consisted of over 1000 items. The Lownes Collection on Henry David Thoreau, 1837-1965 is today found in Brown's John Hay Library.
In 1979, the Lownes Collection of Significant Books in the History of Science was bequeathed to Brown University. It comprises more than 5000 volumes and over three quarters of the collection is recognized by scholars as constituting the "great books" of science published since the fifteenth century.
Lownes earned a Bachelor of Philosophy from the University in 1920. He served as a campus guard during World War I. Lownes later worked as a textile executive, president, and board chairman of the American Silk Spinning Company, the company his father founded. In 1940, Brown awarded him an honorary Master of Arts and six years later he was appointed visiting lecturer in the History of Science. He taught in the Department of Biology for thirty years. On the occasion of Lownes' fiftieth reunion, his alma mater bestowed an honorary Doctor of Laws degree upon him.
Lownes authored a number of articles based on material from his own outstanding library, including articles on seventeenth-century herbals; seventeenth-century drawings on birds, fish, and insects; the transit of Venus; early garden books; orchids, Charles Darwin and pollen allergy.
Albert Edgar Lownes was also one of the first Boy Scouts in Rhode Island. He served as scoutmaster, chairman of numerous committees, and district commissioner. He belonged to the board of directors of the Narragansett Council, and served on the editorial board of the Boy Scout Handbook . Much to his amusement, he was even appointed an honorary Girl Scout in acknowledgement for his help in developing their Camp Hoffman. Lownes donated his 250-acre estate "Aquapaug" to the Rhode Island Boy Scouts as a wildlife sanctuary and for camping use.
Albert Edgar Lownes died on November 17, 1978. Lownes' friend, Stuart C. Sherman, of the class of 1939, described his unique personality as follows:
"Learned without ostentation, witty in a quiet way, he was a humanist with the gentlest disposition. His interest in people was revealed by a firm handshake; and in turn, his friends had an affectionate regard for him. In his home he made laymen and scholars equally welcome. He could describe the significance of a rare book in a manner that was meaningful to a friendly neighbour, or that answered the inquiry of a learned scholar."
Albert Edgar Lownes was frequently described as a "renaissance man." Known for his collection of rare books, now housed in the John Hay Library, Lownes taught biology for thirty years at the Brown. He was one of the first Boy Scouts in the state, a scholar, a teacher, a naturalist, and a textile executive.
Lownes' love of books came early. He grew up on the edge of campus, with his younger brother Edgar John Lownes, Jr (class of 1923). Their father was Edgar John Lownes (BP 234), founder of the American Silk Spinning Company. As he was growing up, "Al" loved to visit both the Annmary Brown Memorial (BP 216) and the John Hay Library. He visited the John Hay Library for the first time at age eleven. George Parker Winship, the director and librarian at the John Carter Brown Library, used to enthral Lownes with the many treasures housed there. This was the seed of Lownes' great love of books.
He collected books in several fields, but his collection of science books is nationally recognized for its excellence. He spent forty years forming the collection, and took great pride in it.
Once when Lownes was browsing in a bookstore during a trip to California, a dealer offered him an important book on the history of science for a considerable sum. Lownes' companion asked if he planned to buy it. Al paused and with a straight face modestly said "That book I've had for some years. I think I paid $3.00 for it."
In his lifetime, Lownes saw the history of science recognized as a field of study in leading universities. He often made it clear that his collection was a collection of significant books of science from which the History of Science might be written.
On the occasion of his fiftieth class reunion, in 1970, Lownes presented Brown with his outstanding set of the elephant folio edition of The Birds of America by John J. Audubon. Three years earlier, in 1967, he had presented Brown with his extensive collection on Henry David Thoreau. The gift consisted of over 1000 items. The Lownes Collection on Henry David Thoreau, 1837-1965 is today found in Brown's John Hay Library.
In 1979, the Lownes Collection of Significant Books in the History of Science was bequeathed to Brown University. It comprises more than 5000 volumes and over three quarters of the collection is recognized by scholars as constituting the "great books" of science published since the fifteenth century.
Lownes earned a Bachelor of Philosophy from the University in 1920. He served as a campus guard during World War I. Lownes later worked as a textile executive, president, and board chairman of the American Silk Spinning Company, the company his father founded. In 1940, Brown awarded him an honorary Master of Arts and six years later he was appointed visiting lecturer in the History of Science. He taught in the Department of Biology for thirty years. On the occasion of Lownes' fiftieth reunion, his alma mater bestowed an honorary Doctor of Laws degree upon him.
Lownes authored a number of articles based on material from his own outstanding library, including articles on seventeenth-century herbals; seventeenth-century drawings on birds, fish, and insects; the transit of Venus; early garden books; orchids, Charles Darwin and pollen allergy.
Albert Edgar Lownes was also one of the first Boy Scouts in Rhode Island. He served as scoutmaster, chairman of numerous committees, and district commissioner. He belonged to the board of directors of the Narragansett Council, and served on the editorial board of the Boy Scout Handbook . Much to his amusement, he was even appointed an honorary Girl Scout in acknowledgement for his help in developing their Camp Hoffman. Lownes donated his 250-acre estate "Aquapaug" to the Rhode Island Boy Scouts as a wildlife sanctuary and for camping use.
Albert Edgar Lownes died on November 17, 1978. Lownes' friend, Stuart C. Sherman, of the class of 1939, described his unique personality as follows:
"Learned without ostentation, witty in a quiet way, he was a humanist with the gentlest disposition. His interest in people was revealed by a firm handshake; and in turn, his friends had an affectionate regard for him. In his home he made laymen and scholars equally welcome. He could describe the significance of a rare book in a manner that was meaningful to a friendly neighbour, or that answered the inquiry of a learned scholar."
WWI
Albert Edgar Lownes was frequently described as a "renaissance man." Known for his collection of rare books, now housed in the John Hay Library, Lownes taught biology for thirty years at the Brown. He was one of the first Boy Scouts in the state, a scholar, a teacher, a naturalist, and a textile executive.
Lownes' love of books came early. He grew up on the edge of campus, with his younger brother Edgar John Lownes, Jr (class of 1923). Their father was Edgar John Lownes (BP 234), founder of the American Silk Spinning Company. As he was growing up, "Al" loved to visit both the Annmary Brown Memorial (BP 216) and the John Hay Library. He visited the John Hay Library for the first time at age eleven. George Parker Winship, the director and librarian at the John Carter Brown Library, used to enthral Lownes with the many treasures housed there. This was the seed of Lownes' great love of books.
He collected books in several fields, but his collection of science books is nationally recognized for its excellence. He spent forty years forming the collection, and took great pride in it.
Once when Lownes was browsing in a bookstore during a trip to California, a dealer offered him an important book on the history of science for a considerable sum. Lownes' companion asked if he planned to buy it. Al paused and with a straight face modestly said "That book I've had for some years. I think I paid $3.00 for it."
In his lifetime, Lownes saw the history of science recognized as a field of study in leading universities. He often made it clear that his collection was a collection of significant books of science from which the History of Science might be written.
On the occasion of his fiftieth class reunion, in 1970, Lownes presented Brown with his outstanding set of the elephant folio edition of The Birds of America by John J. Audubon. Three years earlier, in 1967, he had presented Brown with his extensive collection on Henry David Thoreau. The gift consisted of over 1000 items. The Lownes Collection on Henry David Thoreau, 1837-1965 is today found in Brown's John Hay Library.
In 1979, the Lownes Collection of Significant Books in the History of Science was bequeathed to Brown University. It comprises more than 5000 volumes and over three quarters of the collection is recognized by scholars as constituting the "great books" of science published since the fifteenth century.
Lownes earned a Bachelor of Philosophy from the University in 1920. He served as a campus guard during World War I. Lownes later worked as a textile executive, president, and board chairman of the American Silk Spinning Company, the company his father founded. In 1940, Brown awarded him an honorary Master of Arts and six years later he was appointed visiting lecturer in the History of Science. He taught in the Department of Biology for thirty years. On the occasion of Lownes' fiftieth reunion, his alma mater bestowed an honorary Doctor of Laws degree upon him.
Lownes authored a number of articles based on material from his own outstanding library, including articles on seventeenth-century herbals; seventeenth-century drawings on birds, fish, and insects; the transit of Venus; early garden books; orchids, Charles Darwin and pollen allergy.
Albert Edgar Lownes was also one of the first Boy Scouts in Rhode Island. He served as scoutmaster, chairman of numerous committees, and district commissioner. He belonged to the board of directors of the Narragansett Council, and served on the editorial board of the Boy Scout Handbook . Much to his amusement, he was even appointed an honorary Girl Scout in acknowledgement for his help in developing their Camp Hoffman. Lownes donated his 250-acre estate "Aquapaug" to the Rhode Island Boy Scouts as a wildlife sanctuary and for camping use.
Albert Edgar Lownes died on November 17, 1978. Lownes' friend, Stuart C. Sherman, of the class of 1939, described his unique personality as follows:
"Learned without ostentation, witty in a quiet way, he was a humanist with the gentlest disposition. His interest in people was revealed by a firm handshake; and in turn, his friends had an affectionate regard for him. In his home he made laymen and scholars equally welcome. He could describe the significance of a rare book in a manner that was meaningful to a friendly neighbour, or that answered the inquiry of a learned scholar."
Albert Edgar Lownes was frequently described as a "renaissance man." Known for his collection of rare books, now housed in the John Hay Library, Lownes taught biology for thirty years at the Brown. He was one of the first Boy Scouts in the state, a scholar, a teacher, a naturalist, and a textile executive.
Lownes' love of books came early. He grew up on the edge of campus, with his younger brother Edgar John Lownes, Jr (class of 1923). Their father was Edgar John Lownes (BP 234), founder of the American Silk Spinning Company. As he was growing up, "Al" loved to visit both the Annmary Brown Memorial (BP 216) and the John Hay Library. He visited the John Hay Library for the first time at age eleven. George Parker Winship, the director and librarian at the John Carter Brown Library, used to enthral Lownes with the many treasures housed there. This was the seed of Lownes' great love of books.
He collected books in several fields, but his collection of science books is nationally recognized for its excellence. He spent forty years forming the collection, and took great pride in it.
Once when Lownes was browsing in a bookstore during a trip to California, a dealer offered him an important book on the history of science for a considerable sum. Lownes' companion asked if he planned to buy it. Al paused and with a straight face modestly said "That book I've had for some years. I think I paid $3.00 for it."
In his lifetime, Lownes saw the history of science recognized as a field of study in leading universities. He often made it clear that his collection was a collection of significant books of science from which the History of Science might be written.
On the occasion of his fiftieth class reunion, in 1970, Lownes presented Brown with his outstanding set of the elephant folio edition of The Birds of America by John J. Audubon. Three years earlier, in 1967, he had presented Brown with his extensive collection on Henry David Thoreau. The gift consisted of over 1000 items. The Lownes Collection on Henry David Thoreau, 1837-1965 is today found in Brown's John Hay Library.
In 1979, the Lownes Collection of Significant Books in the History of Science was bequeathed to Brown University. It comprises more than 5000 volumes and over three quarters of the collection is recognized by scholars as constituting the "great books" of science published since the fifteenth century.
Lownes earned a Bachelor of Philosophy from the University in 1920. He served as a campus guard during World War I. Lownes later worked as a textile executive, president, and board chairman of the American Silk Spinning Company, the company his father founded. In 1940, Brown awarded him an honorary Master of Arts and six years later he was appointed visiting lecturer in the History of Science. He taught in the Department of Biology for thirty years. On the occasion of Lownes' fiftieth reunion, his alma mater bestowed an honorary Doctor of Laws degree upon him.
Lownes authored a number of articles based on material from his own outstanding library, including articles on seventeenth-century herbals; seventeenth-century drawings on birds, fish, and insects; the transit of Venus; early garden books; orchids, Charles Darwin and pollen allergy.
Albert Edgar Lownes was also one of the first Boy Scouts in Rhode Island. He served as scoutmaster, chairman of numerous committees, and district commissioner. He belonged to the board of directors of the Narragansett Council, and served on the editorial board of the Boy Scout Handbook . Much to his amusement, he was even appointed an honorary Girl Scout in acknowledgement for his help in developing their Camp Hoffman. Lownes donated his 250-acre estate "Aquapaug" to the Rhode Island Boy Scouts as a wildlife sanctuary and for camping use.
Albert Edgar Lownes died on November 17, 1978. Lownes' friend, Stuart C. Sherman, of the class of 1939, described his unique personality as follows:
"Learned without ostentation, witty in a quiet way, he was a humanist with the gentlest disposition. His interest in people was revealed by a firm handshake; and in turn, his friends had an affectionate regard for him. In his home he made laymen and scholars equally welcome. He could describe the significance of a rare book in a manner that was meaningful to a friendly neighbour, or that answered the inquiry of a learned scholar."
