In Memoriam Audrey S. Geisel 1921–2018 The UC San Diego Library lost a treasured friend with the death of Audrey S. Geisel. She passed away December 19, 2018 at her home in La Jolla. She was 97. A devoted philanthropist, business leader and wife of the late Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel, Audrey was a staunch supporter of UC San Diego and the Library. In 1995, the Central University Library building was renamed Geisel Library to honor Ted and Audrey, in recognition of a $20 million gift from Audrey. Prior to that, she donated the first of Ted’s personal papers to the Library that now include more than 20,000 items — original drawings, manuscripts, sketches, books and other memorabilia — documenting the many creative contributions of Dr. Seuss. “Audrey wanted to make sure Ted’s items were preserved physically, and preserved in a way that would allow people to come in and understand how he did his work,” said Lynda
Claassen, director of Special Collections & Archives at the Library. With a passion for literacy and the Library, Audrey established the Audrey Geisel University Librarianship in 2007 – the first of its kind in San Diego County at the time. This named position provided discretionary funding to enhance and expand the Library’s resources and services in perpetuity through the creation of an endowment fund. Most recently, Audrey donated $3 million to revitalize the interior of Geisel Library to help ensure that it remains as bold on the inside as it is iconic on the outside. As part of the renovation, the Library opened Audrey’s Café in her honor in 2016. Audrey and Ted Geisel left an indelible mark on many people and institutions and their legacy will live on because of the foundation Audrey laid for the Library’s distinguished collections.
Audrey wanted to make sure Ted’s items were preserved physically, and preserved in a way that would allow people to come in and understand how he did his work. Top: Brian E. C. Schottlaender – inaugural holder of the Audrey Geisel University Librarianship – with Audrey Geisel at UC San Diego’s Seuss Day celebration held annually on Ted Geisel’s birthday.
W I N T E R 2019
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