James Bain (1842-1908) dedicated his life to the book trade as a bookseller, publisher, collector and librarian. In 1902, he was recognized by Trinity University (Toronto) with the institution's highest honour, Doctor of Civil Law, for "distinguished service in the cause of education."

He was born in London, England in 1842, and moved with his family to Toronto in 1846. He worked in the book trade from the age of 14, first at his father's Toronto bookshop, and later in 1866 with Toronto publisher James Campbell and Sons.

He travelled to England and worked for various booksellers and publishers. During this time he and his brother Robert purchased significant historical materials. At this time he also entered into an agreement with another publishing firm, which then became J.C. Nimmo and Bain. Bain returned to Toronto in 1881 to manage Campbell's new publishing firm, the Canadian Publishing Company.

As the first Chief Librarian of the Toronto Public Library, Bain laid out the plan for the development of our rare Canadiana collection. He was charged with acquiring, for the library, "those rare and costly works which are generally out of reach of individual students and collectors, and which are not usually found in provincial or private libraries." Under Bain's watchful eye, the collection grew to include rare and unique maps, art, books and personal accounts of events in Canadian history.

This portrait was commissioned by the Board of the Toronto Public Library in 1909. Special Collections Toronto Public Library from Toronto, Canada

Creator: Sir Edmund Wyly Grier, 1862-1957 Date: 1909 Identifier: TRL2011-JamesBain-w-Frame-mg-9707 Format: Picture Rights: Public domain Courtesy: Toronto Public Library.

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