Library History | Rabinowitz Room History

HISTORY: The Rabinowitz Room

The Rabinowitz Room, Gift of Edwin A. Malloy

The Rabinowitz Room, on the top floor of the new Andover-Harvard Theological Library, is a gift to the Harvard Divinity School from Edwin A. Malloy and his family, and named in honor of his father-in-law, Aaron Rabinowitz.

During his lifetime, Mr. Malloy, BS’49, LLB, ’52, and his family had many ties with Harvard University. He served on the Divinity School Dean’s Council, on the Overseers’ Committee to Visit the University Library, on the Library Campaign Committee, the Committee on University Resources, and his Class Reunion Committee. He endowed the Malloy-Rabinowitz Preservation Librarian position in 1986, and gave to the Librarians Endowment Fund for Preservation of collections in the University Library. He also served as honorary Conservator in the University Library from 1991 to 1998.

Edwin Malloy was married to Susan Rabinowitz Malloy and had two children, Jennifer Malloy Combs and Timon J. Malloy. Jennifer served on the Divinity School’s Library Campaign Committee, which was instrumental in raising funds to support the renovation/construction of the new Andover-Harvard Library.

The Rabinowitz Room was originally the office of Fred F. French, founder of Fred French Investing Company, Inc. It was part of a suite of offices, located on the 12^th floor of the art deco French Building (opened in 1927) at the corner of 45^th Street and 5^th Avenue in New York City.

When Mr. French died unexpectedly in August 1936, his wife Cordelia offered their friend and colleague Aaron Rabinowitz (1884-1973) the option to purchase controlling interest in the company. Rabinowitz was a pioneer in public and private housing in New York City, in addition to activity in commercial real estate. He founded Spear and Co., a major presence in the real estate industry of the day, and worked with Governor Alfred E. Smith on the New York Board of Housing in 1926. In 1933, he was appointed by Franklin Roosevelt to be an advisor to Harold Ickes of the Public Works Administration. He was also a trustee and vice president of Congregation Emanu-El in New York City and created the Tudor Foundation (succeeded by the Sun Hill Foundation in 1991) to fund his philanthropic activities. Sun Hill contributed funds to pay for the restoration and installation of the room.

Aaron Rabinowitz, born in Russia, grew up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. His formal schooling ended at age 14, but he was an avid reader and collector of books all of his life. He attributed much of his success in life to his involvement with the Henry Street Settlement House, which was run by Lillian Ward. 

Mr. Rabinowitz ran the company for many years until his son-in-law, Edwin A. Malloy (1926-1998), succeeded him as chairman. When Edwin Malloy retired in the early 1980’s, he had the room dismantled and shipped as a gift with many of the furnishings to the Harvard Divinity School with the anticipation that it would one day grace the long-planned addition to the Andover-Harvard Theological Library. 

The Room:

The ornately carved oak paneling was made in 1927.  It is said that Mr. French employed a family of Italian wood carvers to create the effect we see and admire today. The door hardware, also of the same period, is especially interesting in that the handles resemble medieval dragons and complete the feeling of the Gothic Revival that the room characterizes.

The windows, too, were made for the room, but the fourteen stained glass medallions they contain are quite a different story. These pieces date from about 1490 through the late 1600’s. Mr. French acquired these in Europe after World War I, and they likely came originally from family chapels, town halls, and guild halls that were damaged in the war.

Beneath the glass “coals” in the fireplace grate, one finds three amber-colored light bulbs. Tiny fans on each of these bulbs would spin when the bulbs were hot, giving the effect of glowing coals in the fire.  There are two doors on either side of the fireplace. Originally, one concealed the office safe, and the other led to a private bathroom and kitchen.

One expert has suggested that the carpet was made in the Hamadan region of Iran sometime around 1890. His assessment was based upon the design, materials, and dyes that were used.   The geometric designs of the carpet also include some floral-like elements. The holy color of green that was used suggests it was made by Shiites. The brown in the carpet is camel hair, and the wool is especially lanolin rich, adding to its durability.

Fred French’s prized bust of Theodore Roosevelt remains in the room today. It originally sat on the mantle over the fireplace, but is not stable and has been moved to a window ledge for protection. Mr. and Mrs. French named their first son Theodore, after Fred’s hero.

The pieces of furniture in the room today from the Malloy gift were from other offices in the suite. Pictures in the display case outside the Rabinowitz Room show how the office was furnished in its New York location. One of them shows Edwin Malloy at his desk.

The black, carved bench in the hallway outside the room is also part of the Malloy gift. It is a choir stall and may be from the late 1600’s, probably German. Originally it probably had a high back, which would have been attached to the wall behind it. The connecting posts on either end are today finished with carved knobs.

In its new location, the Rabinowitz Room is used for special meetings, receptions, and small meal functions. All who see it marvel at the intricacy of the carving, the spacious proportions and the feeling of calm that the room evokes.  The Divinity School gratefully acknowledges the foresight and generosity of the Malloy family.

Special viewing may be arranged in the Office of the Librarian.

Library History | Rabinowitz Room History