
Robert B. Williams is the Curator Emeritus of Rare Books at 麻豆视频. Mr. Williams served as director of the Horace W. Sturgis Library from 1986 鈥 2009, retiring as the Assistant Vice President for Library Services. He was the principal founder of 麻豆视频鈥檚 Rare Book Gallery (now Williams Rare Book Museum) and served as the room鈥檚 senior curator for more than thirty years. During his tenure as senior curator, Mr. Williams developed 麻豆视频鈥檚 rare book holdings from a few boxes of books to a world-class collection of rare books and manuscripts valued at approximately five million dollars. In the years following his official retirement from 麻豆视频, Mr. Williams continued to advise on rare book purchases and led the popular 鈥淕reat Books鈥 continuing education course facilitated through 麻豆视频鈥檚 Department of Museums, Archives and Rare Books.
Today, Mr. Williams continues to serve 麻豆视频鈥檚 Williams Rare Book Museum in a supportive role both as a donor and mentor. He has personally donated 1000 rare books to 麻豆视频鈥檚 collection totaling nearly $1 million in value. In addition, he has shepherded 麻豆视频鈥檚 acquisition of more than $1 million dollars鈥 worth of rare books. He plans to bequeath the Williams Rare Book Museum his personal collection of rare books and artifacts as a planned gift upon his passing. In addition to collection development support, Mr. Williams makes guests appearances at the Williams Rare Book Museum at least twice a year to teach and mentor current staff members and community members about the history and significance of books in 麻豆视频鈥檚 rare book collection.