By Thomas F. Schwartz
Herbert Hoover’s connection with Belgium is usually noted by his leadership of the Commission for Relief in Belgium. This voluntary organization provided food, medical, and clothing relief to millions of Belgian non-combatants throughout most of World War I. Less known are his efforts to raise money to rebuild the Leuven University Library after German forces set fire to it in both world wars. Fundraising for the first rebuilding effort was begun by Nicholas M. Butler, President of Columbia University. Consumed by other obligations, Butler was unable to raise enough money. Hoover was asked to take over the project.
Rebuilding a library established in the 17th century is no easy task. Whitney Warren, a prominent New York architect, was selected to design the replacement. Having studied in Paris, Warren chose the Flemish Neo-Renaissance style for the new building to connect the library’s past to the present and the future. What distinguished his design were symbolic elements underscoring American friendship. An American eagle was sculpted on the facade along with other animals representing the allied nations. The base of the bell tower is 48 meters long and the clockface includes 48 stars, a reference to the number of American states at that time. The carillon tower received 48 bells from various US engineering associations “in commemoration of the U.S. engineers who gave their lives in the Great War.” The great bourdon bell, which weighs seven tons and still rings the hours to this day, was called the Liberty Bell in reference to the famous Philadelphia Liberty Bell. It was also engraved with an American eagle and Belgian lion and dedicated: “For the American who died in a just war/founded by their fellow citizens as a mark of gratitude.”
Dozens of American donors, universities, libraries, and organizations who contributed to the project are recognized with inscribed stones set into the walls of the library. The library was rededicated on July 4, 1928. The second reconstruction occurred in 1950 under different leadership, but restored Warren’s design. A tradition that continues is flying the American flag from the bell tower every July 4 “to commemorate how the University States of America gave Leuven back its library.”