Ella May Thornton
Georgia State LIbrarian (1885-1971)
Ella May Thornton (April 28, 1885 – October 11, 1971) was an American librarian who served as the State Librarian of Georgia; president of the Atlanta Library Club; and in 1936, became the president of the National Association of State Libraries.
Early life and education
Ella May Thorton was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on April 28, 1885. She was the daughter of Eugene Hascal Thornton (born May 31, 1848, in Clay County, Georgia;corporal, Pruden's Battery, Confederate States Army; board member, superintendent and secretary, Confederate Soldiers' Home; died December 14, 1921) and Emma (Neal) Thornton (born April 25, 1844, in Zebulon, Georgia ; died March 29, 1918). Granddaughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Eley) Thornton of Clay County, Georgia, and of John Neal (born September 19, 1796, in Warren County, Georgia; member, Pike County, Internal Improvement Convention, 1831; member, Pike County, Convention, 1833; member, Pike County, House of Representatives, 1838, 1839; died January 4, 1886, in Atlanta, Georgia) and Mary Jane (Campbell) Neal (born April 15, 1817). Great-granddaughter of David Neal (captain in the Revolution; married Apr. 2, 1780) and Joyce (McCormick) Neal.
She was educated in the private schools of Atlanta; Walnut Hill School, Natick, Massachusetts, (3 years); and the Carnegie Library School of Atlanta.
Career
Thornton served as Second Assistant Librarian, Georgia State Library, 1909–14; Legislative Reference Librarian, Georgia State Library, 1911–18; Assistant State Librarian, 1919–25; and became the State Librarian on January 6, 1926, retiring in 1954. During the period of 1926–28, she was the Secretary-Treasurer of the Southeastern Library Association. She was also a member of the Georgia Library Association and the American Library Association, as well as a member ex-officio of the Georgia Library Commission and Georgia State Historical Commission.
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