Burton Egbert Stevenson

Born in Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1872, Burton Egbert Stevenson studied at Princeton before building a varied career as an author, editor, compiler, and librarian. He wrote novels and travel books, but his reputation rested heavily on the widely used anthologies and reference collections he assembled for everyday readers.

Among his best-known works are The Home Book of Verse and The Home Book of Quotations, large compilations that helped make poetry and memorable lines more accessible in homes and schools. He also wrote detective and adventure fiction, showing a range that stretched well beyond reference publishing.

Stevenson was also active in library work and is noted as a founder of the American Library in Paris, where he served as director during parts of its early history. He died in 1962, leaving behind a body of work that reflects both literary curiosity and a strong instinct for gathering useful reading into lasting collections.