The Inside Story of the Elizabeth Nesbitt Room
Fadiman Collection

29) Shortly after the Elizabeth Nesbitt Room opened, Clifton Fadiman saw a notice about it and wrote to offer us his collection of children's books, the ones he had used in writing his definitive article on children's literature for the Encyclopedia Britanica and an anthology that he was planning. Each of his books had handwritten notes at the back, and they are a unique archive of one of America's most highly regarded 20th century critics. When Clifton Fadiman's letter came, I consulted Mr. William Rea, who was then chairman of the Board of Trustees at the University, because something told me that in accepting this gift, expense might be involved - even in transporting 2,000 books from Santa Barbara to Pittsburgh. Mr. Rea's answer was, "Fly out and get them." We got them. I wish I could tell you the stories behind each of the fine collections that have come to the Elizabeth Nesbitt Room, some of them from friends who are here today, but the Clifton Fadiman Collection will stand as an example, for want of time to tell more.