Luther H. Evans

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Luther Evans

Luther Harris Evans (October 13, 1902 – December 23, 1981) was an American political scientist and Librarian of Congress.

Evans was born in Sayersville, Bastrop County, Texas.

He organized and directed the Historical Records Survey for the Works Project Administration. After this, he was appointed by Librarian of Congress Archibald MacLeish as head of the Legislative Reference Service and later Chief Assistant Librarian of Congress. After MacLeish resigned, president Harry S. Truman appointed Evans as his successor, a position he held from 1945 to 1953. During his tenure, Evans opposed censorship of the library's holdings, and greatly expanded the library's collection. Well versed in international relations, he also returned a number of manuscripts to their countries of origin.

He also served with various US delegations during the forming of UNESCO. In 1953 he resigned from the Library to accept a position as UNESCO's third director-general.

He died in San Antonio, Texas.