Mellen Chamberlain

In 1849 he was admitted to the bar, opened a law office in Boston and made his residence in Chelsea, where, during 51 years of citizenship, he served the town in many public capacities.

On 26 August 1878, he was chosen librarian-in-chief of the Boston Public Library, where he served until ill health compelled his retirement in 1890.

During his administration, a new library building was begun and the cornerstone laid.

Throughout his life he was a close student and investigator of American history.

Besides chapters in Justin Winsor's Memorial History of Boston (1881), he wrote: