Lionel Johnson

Collecting over many years, Mr. Johnson traveled to New York, London and Paris to peruse bookstores. He meticulously gave each an accession number as he cataloged his books. An appraiser stated,  "Unity of subject matter gives this group of books scholarly importance and great bibliographic research value. The books are primarily hard cover and in fine condition, with a few in leather bindings. It is a collection lovingly assembled through the expense of much time and money." 

Sharon McQueen, a library school doctoral student at the University of Wisconsin--Madison and friend of Lionel Johnson, recommended the University of Minnesota as the appropriate place for his collection. 

In addition to the books, there are illustrations, some books about Robert Louis Stevenson, and copies of reviews. While the collection is unavailable for circulation or interlibrary loan, the holdings may be used in the CLRC reading room, 113 Andersen Library now open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Mr. Johnson's card file will be available to visiting researchers in the interim before the books are cataloged in the electronic database.

Lionel Johnson also donated his extensive Alice in Wonderland Collection to the CLRC. This collection of variant editions and secondary literature is in process. Please check back for its very own forthcoming web presence, but in the meantime use the following pdf files of Johnson's own inventory list and inquire with the CLRC staff for access.

Alice In Wonderland Collection Inventory: section 1; section 2; section 3; section 4; section 5; section 6; section 7.

The collection is available for the use in the Andersen Library under certain restrictions. Inquires may be made to the Children's Literature Research Collections.

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