William Loring Andrews

William Loring Andrews (September 9, 1837 – March 19, 1920) was an American rare book collector, publisher, and librarian. He was a trustee and the first librarian of New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art and its advocate for forty years. From 1888 to 1892, he served as the founder and president of the Grolier Club. He was also the founder and only president of the Society of Iconophiles. He was "an enthusiastic and discriminating collector of rare books, prints, paintings, and porcelains."

He published 36 books, about 24 of which he wrote; many detailed "bookish themes" and/or New York City history. Andrews "selected the paper, typography, and bindings" for all of his books, while E. D. French and Sidney L. Smith provided tailpieces and other graphic elements.

According to the Met, "Andrews was a fundamental force in the early days of The Met, and he was the pivotal figure in the development and collection growth at The Met's great library." Provided by Wikipedia