Guide to the Emanuel Celler Collection Brooklyn Public Library Grand Army Plaza Brooklyn, NY 11238 Contact: Brooklyn Collection Phone: 718.230.2762 Fax: 718.857.2245 Email:
[email protected] www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org Finding aid prepared by Joy Holland Copyright © 2012 Brooklyn Public Library. All rights reserved. Descriptive Summary Creator: Emanuel Celler Title: The Emanuel Celler Collection Date Span: 1914-1981 Abstract: The collection consists of four series. Series I: Miscellaneous invitations, honors and other papers Series II: Speeches and other writings by Emanuel Celler Series III: Photographs, legislative bills and other memorabilia Series IV: Bronze bust of Emanuel Celler by Nathan Rapoport Quantity: 7 boxes, 14 unboxed framed items, and one bust Location: Morgue, Shelves 10.4, 10.5, 10.6 Repository: Brooklyn Public Library – Brooklyn Collection Reference Code: BC0212 Biographical History Emanuel Celler was born on May 6, 1888 in a frame house on Sumner Avenue near Floyd St in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, the third of four children. His father owned a “whisky rectifying” business, but when it failed the elder Celler began working as a wine salesman. Emanuel graduated from Boys’ High School in 1906, and after his father’s death took over his wine route, while at the same time studying law at Columbia University. In 1914 he married Stella Baar. The couple had two daughters, one of whom suffered from cerebral palsy. Stella Baar Celler died in 1966. In 1922 Celler was asked if he would like to be the Democratic party’s nominee for Congress in the 10th District, which had thus far never sent a Democrat to Congress.