Clarence Eldridge Meek began his fire service career in Montgomery, Alabama in the early 1900’s. Clarence {a tillerman} was thrown from a horse-drawn ladder truck and broke his shoulder, ending his career as active-duty firefighter. He always remained close to the fire service during his professional career serving as New York Sales Manager for Ahrens-Fox Fire Engines. In fact, for a while, he lived with C. H. Fox at his home in Cincinnati. He also served as Eastern States Representative for Mack Fire Apparatus and as Vice President of Garrison Engineering Corporation, a fire control products company.
In 1938, then as the east coast sales representative for Mack fire apparatus, Clarence Meek suggested to Chief-in-Charge George McKenna of the Fire College, that a library be established for the use of all members. Earlier in the Department's history, a "lyceum" was indeed established, but it had fallen into disuse and was essentially moth-balled. The idea was approved and Mr. Meek was given the honorary rank of Captain on March 1, 1938 with appointment as its librarian.
Chief Meek, himself once a volunteer firefighter in Montgomery, and later Birmingham, Alabama was a true historian of the FDNY and committed himself not only to oversight of the library but also to documenting the history of the FDNY. His first published article appeared in WNYF in 1949 after which he became Associate Editor of that journal. His reputation grew throughout the fire service, not only in New York, and his expertise and knowledge was sought by many organizations and publications. He advanced through the ranks of the Department with promotions to Battalion Chief on October 26, 1953, Deputy Chief on October 1, 1959 and Assistant Chief on February 9, 1967. He served the Department as librarian and resident historian for thirty-five years. On February 9, 1973 the Department Library was officially named in his honor.
In 1938, then as the east coast sales representative for Mack fire apparatus, Clarence Meek suggested to Chief-in-Charge George McKenna of the Fire College, that a library be established for the use of all members. Earlier in the Department's history, a "lyceum" was indeed established, but it had fallen into disuse and was essentially moth-balled. The idea was approved and Mr. Meek was given the honorary rank of Captain on March 1, 1938 with appointment as its librarian.
Chief Meek, himself once a volunteer firefighter in Montgomery, and later Birmingham, Alabama was a true historian of the FDNY and committed himself not only to oversight of the library but also to documenting the history of the FDNY. His first published article appeared in WNYF in 1949 after which he became Associate Editor of that journal. His reputation grew throughout the fire service, not only in New York, and his expertise and knowledge was sought by many organizations and publications. He advanced through the ranks of the Department with promotions to Battalion Chief on October 26, 1953, Deputy Chief on October 1, 1959 and Assistant Chief on February 9, 1967. He served the Department as librarian and resident historian for thirty-five years. On February 9, 1973 the Department Library was officially named in his honor.
Clarence Eldridge Meek began his fire service career in Montgomery, Alabama in the early 1900’s. Clarence {a tillerman} was thrown from a horse-drawn ladder truck and broke his shoulder, ending his career as active-duty firefighter. He always remained close to the fire service during his professional career serving as New York Sales Manager for Ahrens-Fox Fire Engines. In fact, for a while, he lived with C. H. Fox at his home in Cincinnati. He also served as Eastern States Representative for Mack Fire Apparatus and as Vice President of Garrison Engineering Corporation, a fire control products company.
In 1938, then as the east coast sales representative for Mack fire apparatus, Clarence Meek suggested to Chief-in-Charge George McKenna of the Fire College, that a library be established for the use of all members. Earlier in the Department's history, a "lyceum" was indeed established, but it had fallen into disuse and was essentially moth-balled. The idea was approved and Mr. Meek was given the honorary rank of Captain on March 1, 1938 with appointment as its librarian.
Chief Meek, himself once a volunteer firefighter in Montgomery, and later Birmingham, Alabama was a true historian of the FDNY and committed himself not only to oversight of the library but also to documenting the history of the FDNY. His first published article appeared in WNYF in 1949 after which he became Associate Editor of that journal. His reputation grew throughout the fire service, not only in New York, and his expertise and knowledge was sought by many organizations and publications. He advanced through the ranks of the Department with promotions to Battalion Chief on October 26, 1953, Deputy Chief on October 1, 1959 and Assistant Chief on February 9, 1967. He served the Department as librarian and resident historian for thirty-five years. On February 9, 1973 the Department Library was officially named in his honor.
In 1938, then as the east coast sales representative for Mack fire apparatus, Clarence Meek suggested to Chief-in-Charge George McKenna of the Fire College, that a library be established for the use of all members. Earlier in the Department's history, a "lyceum" was indeed established, but it had fallen into disuse and was essentially moth-balled. The idea was approved and Mr. Meek was given the honorary rank of Captain on March 1, 1938 with appointment as its librarian.
Chief Meek, himself once a volunteer firefighter in Montgomery, and later Birmingham, Alabama was a true historian of the FDNY and committed himself not only to oversight of the library but also to documenting the history of the FDNY. His first published article appeared in WNYF in 1949 after which he became Associate Editor of that journal. His reputation grew throughout the fire service, not only in New York, and his expertise and knowledge was sought by many organizations and publications. He advanced through the ranks of the Department with promotions to Battalion Chief on October 26, 1953, Deputy Chief on October 1, 1959 and Assistant Chief on February 9, 1967. He served the Department as librarian and resident historian for thirty-five years. On February 9, 1973 the Department Library was officially named in his honor.
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