It was Professor Norton's wish that after his death the College Library should have the advantage of his extensive library. Many of these books will be on exhibition in the Treasure Room today and the lover of old and interesting books will find a unique collection which has many valuable literary associations connected with their ownership. There are books which once belonged to Ben Jonson, Wordsworth, George Washington and others, as well as volumes made precious by association with Mr. Norton's own friends, Ruskin, Holmes, Longfellow and Curtis.
In 1905 a sum of money was collected, the income of which was to be used in adding books similar in character to what was known as the Norton Collection, consisting of many of his rarest books which he preferred to keep in the Library for safety. In expressing his thanks for the gift, Mr. Norton wrote: "I could desire no better memorial than one which may secure the occasional remembrance of my name in connection with the service rendered by the Library of Harvard College to future generations of students."
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