Richard Garnett was a librarian, a book lover, an author, and a bibliographer. He worked at the library of the British Museum from 1851 to 1899, beginning as a cataloguer and rising to keeper of printed books. He wrote an astonishing number of essays, books, stories, and poems. His verse is not first rate, but he was an accomplished technician, writing in all forms of poetry. His articles on literature and librarianship are among the best of his time, and his books were standard sources for many years.

Garnett was acknowledged as the ideal librarian, one who knew where information about anything could be found in the library and who would willingly direct others to it. He edited the British Museum's general Catalogue of Printed Books from 1881 to 1890, and he was responsible for many fine acquisitions within the bounds of his budget. His reputation as an author was equal to...