Lawrence Clark Powell

Lawrence Clark Powell (September 3, 1906–March 14, 2001) was an American librarian, literary critic, bibliographer and author of more than 100 books.

[1] Powell "made a significant contribution to the literature of the library profession, but he also writes for the book-minded public.

[2] His father was a general manager of the Sunkist Cooperative, and the family spent Powell's early winters in Riverside.

In 1938, Powell started working at University of California, Los Angeles in the acquisitions department of the library.

[4]) In the 1930s, Powell was a correspondent, friend and bibliographer for John Steinbeck as he composed Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath.

[13] Henry Miller wrote in his book The Air-Conditioned Nightmare that L. C. Powell, "a humble, modest librarian at U.C.L.A."

was (apart from Ed Ricketts) the only person whom Miller, during his journey across the United States, found "satisfied with his lot, adjusted to his environment, happy in his work, and representative of all that is best in the American tradition".