Eric STEELE
Eric Steele, who had been in declining health for the past few years, died in Manhattan February 1, 2015 at the age of 87. Eric began working at NYPL as a trainee in 1961 at the Mott Haven Branch and worked in several other branches and at Lincoln Center until joining the staff of Mid-Manhattan in 1968. As part of the opening team, he brought passion and tenacity to the process of developing a Literature and Language collection that would meet the needs of high school and college students throughout the City, and to making that Library a bustling and much respected addition to New York City's educational network. He continued working at Mid-Manhattan until his retirement in 1999, notably as head of the Literature and Language Department, and later as Associate Chief Librarian.
Eric was born in Hull, in Yorkshire, England. He graduated from Trinity College, Dublin, in 1950, with a degree in English and French literature. He pursued graduate studies at the Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon before coming to the United States in 1953. Eric maintained an extensive library of books about Shakespeare and drama as well as a large collection of recordings of classical composers, reflecting his strong interest in theatre and music.
See New York Public Library Newsletter, Issue 35, page 21.
Eric Steele, who had been in declining health for the past few years, died in Manhattan February 1, 2015 at the age of 87. Eric began working at NYPL as a trainee in 1961 at the Mott Haven Branch and worked in several other branches and at Lincoln Center until joining the staff of Mid-Manhattan in 1968. As part of the opening team, he brought passion and tenacity to the process of developing a Literature and Language collection that would meet the needs of high school and college students throughout the City, and to making that Library a bustling and much respected addition to New York City's educational network. He continued working at Mid-Manhattan until his retirement in 1999, notably as head of the Literature and Language Department, and later as Associate Chief Librarian.
Eric was born in Hull, in Yorkshire, England. He graduated from Trinity College, Dublin, in 1950, with a degree in English and French literature. He pursued graduate studies at the Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon before coming to the United States in 1953. Eric maintained an extensive library of books about Shakespeare and drama as well as a large collection of recordings of classical composers, reflecting his strong interest in theatre and music.
See New York Public Library Newsletter, Issue 35, page 21.