John Russell Bartlett (1805-1886) was a Providence native who contributed significantly to Providence’s academic culture. He was a founding member of The Providence Athenaeum and served as their first treasurer. Bartlett was also a member of the Rhode Island Historical Society.

In his lifetime, Bartlett mostly dealt with books. He was a partner of Bartlett & Wellford booksellers and publishers. He was responsible for acquiring books for the newly founded Franklin Society in Providence, the same social club that hosted Edgar Allan Poe for a lecture in 1848.

Bartlett moved to New York in 1836 where he opened his own bookstore under the Astor Hotel on Broadway. It was at there that he became acquainted with Poe, who also lived in New York at the time and frequented Bartlett’s bookstore. The two would talk endlessly about literature while Poe browsed the latest imported books from Europe. Bartlett once remarked that he “has never seen [Poe] inspired by any more dangerous stimulant than strong coffee, of which he was very fond of and of which he drank freely.” This quote could or could not have been a response to the rumors and hyperbole surrounding Poe’s alcoholism.

Bartlett returned to Providence in 1850 where he became the United States Boundary Commissioner until 1853. From 1855-1872, Bartlett was the Secretary of State for Rhode Island until his later life, when he served as a librarian for the John Carter Library. He died on May 28, 1886, in Providence. He is buried in Swan Point Cemetery.