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Shaw, William Smith

lawyer, philanthropist, born Aug. 12, 1778, in Haverhill, Mass. He was admitted to the bar in April, 1804, and in the same year became treasurer of the Anthology society, the nucleus of the Boston Athenæum. He devoted much of his time to the collection of its library, and became known as Athenæum Shaw. He was the first to suggest making the library public, and connecting with it a reading room. After the incorporation of the institution he was its secretary and librarian till 1823, and its secretary alone till 1824. At his decease he left it collections of coins, pamphlets and books to the value of $10,- 000. He died April 25, 1826, in Boston, Mass.