Elizabeth Putnam Sohier (1847–1926), a member of Boston's wealthy class, persuaded the Massachusetts Legislature to establish the Free Library Commission in 1890—the first of its kind in the United States.
Sohier was also active in the Woman's Education Association of Boston and instrumental in setting up a committee on libraries.
[2] Throughout her years of service, Sohier found opportunities for libraries to be effective.
During the 1912 Lawrence Textile Strike when it became apparent that many of the workers were foreign born Sohier worked with the Governor to obtain books for the strikers.
[3] She was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Beverly Public Library for thirty years.