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== Early Published Work ==
== Early Published Work ==
While Lyster became primarily known for his role within the [[National Library of Ireland]], he was also a well-respected author. His early work included a translation of Düntzer's “Life Of Goethe” which he translated and expanded in 1883.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |title=Lyster, Thomas William {{!}} Dictionary of Irish Biography |url=https://www.dib.ie/biography/lyster-thomas-william-a4978 |access-date=11 November 2023 |website=www.dib.ie |language=en}}</ref> By 1893 he had edited and published his first original work, an anthology of Poetry titled “English Poems for young students” which ended up becoming an intermediate certificate text.<ref name=":2" /> In addition to his original work, Lyster was well documented to be very supportive of other writers. Most notably he encouraged [[W. B. Yeats]] passion for writing and helped him with edits to his original manuscript of “The Island of Statues” that was published by Yeats in 1885.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Yeats |first1=W.B. |url=https://archive.org/details/collectedletters0000yeat/page/n851/mode/2up |title=The collected letters of W. B. Yeats |date=1986 |publisher=Clarendon Press |isbn=978-0198126799 |location=Oxford}}</ref>
While Lyster became primarily known for his role within the [[National Library of Ireland]], he was also a well-respected author. His early work included a translation of Düntzer's “Life Of Goethe” which he translated and expanded in 1883.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |title=Lyster, Thomas William {{!}} Dictionary of Irish Biography |url=https://www.dib.ie/biography/lyster-thomas-william-a4978 |access-date=11 November 2023 |website=www.dib.ie |language=en}}</ref> By 1893 he had edited and published his first original work, an anthology of Poetry titled “English Poems for young students” which ended up becoming an intermediate certificate text.<ref name=":2" /> In addition to his original work, Lyster was well documented to be very supportive of other writers. Most notably he encouraged [[W. B. Yeats]] passion for writing and helped him with edits to his original manuscript of “The Island of Statues” that was published by Yeats in 1885.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Yeats |first1=W.B. |url=https://archive.org/details/collectedletters0000yeat/page/n851/mode/2up |title=The collected letters of W. B. Yeats |date=1986 |publisher=Clarendon Press |isbn=978-0198126799 |location=Oxford}}</ref>

== Employment to the National Library ==
In 1878, shortly after graduating university, Thomas Lyster officially joined the [[National Library of Ireland]], and would be appointed assistant librarian at only twenty-three years of age.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p5_HDwAAQBAJ&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&pg=PA143&dq=thomas+lyster+1878+national+library&hl=en |title=Thom's Irish who's who |date=1923-01-01 |publisher=Dalcassian Publishing Company |pages=143 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":02">{{Cite web |title=Lyster, Thomas William {{!}} Dictionary of Irish Biography |url=https://www.dib.ie/biography/lyster-thomas-william-a4978 |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=www.dib.ie |language=en}}</ref> In 1895 Lyster would succeed [[William Archer (naturalist)|William Archer]] as head librarian in 1895, until his retirement in 1920.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Association |first=Library |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pdsnAAAAMAAJ&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&pg=RA12-PA21&dq=Thomas+Lyster+National+Library+1895+AND+1920&hl=en |title=Library Association Year Book |date=1891 |publisher=The Association |pages=21 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Bloom |first=Harold |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YsGAEp2mXmcC&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&pg=PA211&dq=Thomas+Lyster+National+library&hl=en |title=The Labyrinth |last2=Hobby |first2=Blake |date=2009 |publisher=Infobase Publishing |isbn=978-0-7910-9804-2 |pages=211 |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:National_Library_of_Ireland_2011.JPG|alt=Image of the National Library of Ireland|thumb|National Library of Ireland]]

== Career in the National Library of Ireland ==
During his time within the National Library, Lyster would become a strong advocate for the [[Dewey Decimal Classification|Dewey Classification System,]] increasing accessibility of the libraries inventory to the public.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lyster, Thomas William (1855–1922), librarian and literary scholar |url=https://www.oxforddnb.com/display/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-59736 |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=Oxford Dictionary of National Biography |language=en |doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/59736}}</ref> Lyster would permit students to access the classified collection within the library, as well as making periodicals available at the library counter, increasing readership numbers dramatically.<ref name=":02" /> Lyster would later endorse reading materials for young children, providing them with designated spaces in the library, with books on topics such as poetry, geography, and science.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Boylan |first=Ciara |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LXhvDwAAQBAJ&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&pg=PA68&dq=Thomas+Lyster+National+Library&hl=en |title=Constructions of the Irish Child in the Independence Period, 1910-1940 |last2=Gallagher |first2=Ciara |date=2018-09-21 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-3-319-92822-7 |pages=68- 69 |language=en}}</ref> Furthermore, Lyster’s pragmatic and positive attitude would draw the attention of various readers from the library, many of which would seek his advice and assistance. Renowned Irish author [[W. B. Yeats|W.B. Yeats]] would remark that Thomas Lyster had initially encouraged him to write, and would describe him as the most zealous man he’d known.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Yeats |first=W. B. (William Butler) |url=http://archive.org/details/collectedletters0000yeat |title=The collected letters of W. B. Yeats |date=1986 |publisher=Oxford : Clarendon Press |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-0-19-812682-9 |pages=121}}</ref>

== Library Association of Ireland ==
Thomas Lyster would go on to play a pivotal role in the establishment of the [[Library Association of Ireland|Cumann na Leabharlann]] (The Library Association of Ireland) and the Irish Rural Libraries Association.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hutton |first=Clare |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7Y1ZZ9m8K2gC&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&pg=PA56&dq=Thomas+Lyster+AND+The+Library+Association+of+Ireland&hl=en |title=The Oxford History of the Irish Book, Volume V: The Irish Book in English, 1891-2000 |last2=Walsh |first2=Patrick |date=2011-06-23 |publisher=OUP Oxford |isbn=978-0-19-924911-4 |pages=56 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=granitewordpress |date=2016-07-14 |title=Behind the scenes in the National Library’s Genealogy Room: Maura Flood |url=https://www.irishfamilyhistorycentre.com/article/behind-the-scenes-in-the-national-librarys-genealogy-room-1/ |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=Irish Family History Centre |language=en-US}}</ref> Lyster would later be elected as the organisation's vice-president in 1899, and begin a series of public lectures advocating for the expansion of the public library system.<ref name=":02" /> The Library Association would be established in 1904, with the aim to promote the establishment of public libraries. In 1904, Lyster would object that it was not a pertinent time for an organisation such as this to be created, however did voice his support for the eventual creation of an organisation in the future.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-09-05 |title=Kevin Street Library Collection (1899-1995) {{!}} Dublin City Council |url=https://www.dublincity.ie/library/blog/kevin-street-library-collection-1899-1995 |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=www.dublincity.ie |language=en}}</ref> Later that year, Lyster would become vice president of the organisation. Thomas Lyster would continue to serve as director of the National Library of Ireland until his retirement from the organisation in 1920.<ref>{{Cite web |last=nli |title=Directors |url=https://www.nli.ie/node/196 |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=www.nli.ie |language=en}}</ref>


== Works ==
== Works ==

Revision as of 13:02, 22 November 2023

Thomas William Lyster
In The Sketch, 18 December 1895
Born(1855-12-17)17 December 1855
Kilkenny, Ireland
Died12 December 1922(1922-12-12) (aged 66)
Dublin, Ireland
EducationTrinity College Dublin
OccupationLibrarian
SpouseJane Robinson Campbell

Early Life and Family

Thomas William Lyster, was born December 17th, 1855, to parents Thomas Lyster of Rathdowney & Jane Lyster (nee’ Smith) of Roscrea[1]. Originally born in Co. Kilkenny, Lyster and his family moved to Dublin in his youth where he remained throughout his entire life[1].

Education

Initially, Lyster attended the Wesleyan Connexional School, which was founded by a group of Methodists Ministers in 1845 at St Stephens Green.[2] After his initial schooling at Wesleyan, Lyster then attended Trinity College for further education. The admissions register of Trinity indicates Lyster enrolled into University in October of 1872 at the age of 16.[3] His enrolment was listed as “pensioner” which at the time was common and indicated he paid a set annual fee for his education and did not have any form of scholarship or fee assistance.[3] The register also indicates at the time of entry to Trinity, that his father had no profession and that his religious background was the Church of Ireland.[3] In the winter of 1877 Lyster graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Honours and in the winter of 1879, he was awarded a Master of Arts.

Early Published Work

While Lyster became primarily known for his role within the National Library of Ireland, he was also a well-respected author. His early work included a translation of Düntzer's “Life Of Goethe” which he translated and expanded in 1883.[4] By 1893 he had edited and published his first original work, an anthology of Poetry titled “English Poems for young students” which ended up becoming an intermediate certificate text.[4] In addition to his original work, Lyster was well documented to be very supportive of other writers. Most notably he encouraged W. B. Yeats passion for writing and helped him with edits to his original manuscript of “The Island of Statues” that was published by Yeats in 1885.[5]

Employment to the National Library

In 1878, shortly after graduating university, Thomas Lyster officially joined the National Library of Ireland, and would be appointed assistant librarian at only twenty-three years of age.[6][7] In 1895 Lyster would succeed William Archer as head librarian in 1895, until his retirement in 1920.[8][9]

Image of the National Library of Ireland
National Library of Ireland

Career in the National Library of Ireland

During his time within the National Library, Lyster would become a strong advocate for the Dewey Classification System, increasing accessibility of the libraries inventory to the public.[10] Lyster would permit students to access the classified collection within the library, as well as making periodicals available at the library counter, increasing readership numbers dramatically.[7] Lyster would later endorse reading materials for young children, providing them with designated spaces in the library, with books on topics such as poetry, geography, and science.[11] Furthermore, Lyster’s pragmatic and positive attitude would draw the attention of various readers from the library, many of which would seek his advice and assistance. Renowned Irish author W.B. Yeats would remark that Thomas Lyster had initially encouraged him to write, and would describe him as the most zealous man he’d known.[12]

Library Association of Ireland

Thomas Lyster would go on to play a pivotal role in the establishment of the Cumann na Leabharlann (The Library Association of Ireland) and the Irish Rural Libraries Association.[13][14] Lyster would later be elected as the organisation's vice-president in 1899, and begin a series of public lectures advocating for the expansion of the public library system.[7] The Library Association would be established in 1904, with the aim to promote the establishment of public libraries. In 1904, Lyster would object that it was not a pertinent time for an organisation such as this to be created, however did voice his support for the eventual creation of an organisation in the future.[15] Later that year, Lyster would become vice president of the organisation. Thomas Lyster would continue to serve as director of the National Library of Ireland until his retirement from the organisation in 1920.[16]

Works

  • 1883: Heinrich Düntzer's Life of Goethe. London: Macmillan & Co. (translation)
  • A series of volumes called English Poems for Young Students (editor)
  • 1893: Select Poetry for Young Students; 2nd ed
  • Intermediate School Anthology

References

  1. ^ a b Cosgrave, E. M. Dublin and Co. Dublin in the twentieth century. Brighton; London: W.T. Pike 1908 Vol. no.26. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  2. ^ "Wesley College Dublin - History". www.wesleycollege.ie. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "Admissions Records, 1847-1876". Digital Collections The Library of Trinity College Dublin. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Lyster, Thomas William | Dictionary of Irish Biography". www.dib.ie. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  5. ^ Yeats, W.B. (1986). The collected letters of W. B. Yeats. Oxford: Clarendon Press. ISBN 978-0198126799.
  6. ^ Thom's Irish who's who. Dalcassian Publishing Company. 1 January 1923. p. 143.
  7. ^ a b c "Lyster, Thomas William | Dictionary of Irish Biography". www.dib.ie. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  8. ^ Association, Library (1891). Library Association Year Book. The Association. p. 21.
  9. ^ Bloom, Harold; Hobby, Blake (2009). The Labyrinth. Infobase Publishing. p. 211. ISBN 978-0-7910-9804-2.
  10. ^ "Lyster, Thomas William (1855–1922), librarian and literary scholar". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/59736. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  11. ^ Boylan, Ciara; Gallagher, Ciara (21 September 2018). Constructions of the Irish Child in the Independence Period, 1910-1940. Springer. pp. 68–69. ISBN 978-3-319-92822-7.
  12. ^ Yeats, W. B. (William Butler) (1986). The collected letters of W. B. Yeats. Internet Archive. Oxford : Clarendon Press. p. 121. ISBN 978-0-19-812682-9.
  13. ^ Hutton, Clare; Walsh, Patrick (23 June 2011). The Oxford History of the Irish Book, Volume V: The Irish Book in English, 1891-2000. OUP Oxford. p. 56. ISBN 978-0-19-924911-4.
  14. ^ granitewordpress (14 July 2016). "Behind the scenes in the National Library's Genealogy Room: Maura Flood". Irish Family History Centre. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  15. ^ "Kevin Street Library Collection (1899-1995) | Dublin City Council". www.dublincity.ie. 5 September 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  16. ^ nli. "Directors". www.nli.ie. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
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