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In Memoriam 1921–2018 Audrey S. Geisel

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.

9500 Gilman Drive #0175G La Jolla, California 92093-0175

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events+exhibits AT THE LIBRARY MORE LIBRARY EVENTS & EXHIBITS CAN BE FOUND AT LIB.UCSD.EDU/EVENTS ALL ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

THE PERFECT PREDATOR Tuesday, March 5 • 5 p.m. Geisel Library, Seuss Room A discussion and book signing with epidemiologist Steffanie Strathdee and psychiatry professor Thomas Patterson.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU” On Exhibit Through March 24 Geisel Library, 2nd Floor Materials from the Dr. Seuss Collection on display for the annual birthday celebration of Theodor Seuss Geisel.

HOLOCAUST LIVING HISTORY WORKSHOP WITH HISTORIAN DIRK MOSES Wednesday, April 10 • 5:30 p.m. Atkinson Hall Auditorium A discussion that challenges our understanding of mass criminality and international order. Sponsored by Michelle and William Lerach

LAS DOS CALIFORNIAS: ALTA CALIFORNIA AND BAJA CALIFORNIA On Exhibit Through May 2019 Geisel Library, 2nd Floor Rare materials illustrating the histories of explorations in the Californias.