Robert Barr Smith

In 1892 Robert Barr Smith gave £1,000 to the University to purchase books for the commencement of a Library.

Over the following years up to 1911 he gave a further £8,000 for the purchase of books for the University Library.

In March 1920 Tom Elder Barr Smith gave £5,000 "for the purpose of creating a Barr Smith Library Fund, the interest on which should be used for the purchase of books" and this was augmented the following May by a further £6,000 provided by Tom Elder Barr Smith and other members of the family.

On his own death in 1941 T E Barr Smith bequeathed a further sum of £10,000 to the University with the wish that it be invested and the income used for the purchase of books for the Barr Smith Library.

Much has been written about Robert Barr Smith and the Barr Smith family.

Further reading:-
Stories from Archives and Special Collections
Robert Barr Smith the Philanthropist
Robert Barr Smith and the University

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