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John Warner Barber was an American engraver on both copper and wood, a topographical draftsman, and an historian. He was born February 2, 1798, in East Windsor, Connecticut. After serving an apprenticeship with engraver Abner Reed, Barber operated his own engraving business in New Haven. He also studied history and traveled the eastern United States, gathering information for the books which he wrote by himself and with Henry Howe, and which he illustrated with his engravings. Barber died in New Haven on June 22, 1885.

Barber’s illustrations and books are essential chronicles of 19th century of New Haven, Connecticut, and national history. New Haven historian Richard Hegel noted that Barber had a principal role with 34 books, assisted in another 84 reprints or new editions, and produced countless illustrations for other works. Barber’s key works include “History and Antiquities of New Haven, Connecticut,” “Historical Collections of New Haven,” and “Our Whole Country, Historical and Descriptive.”

Barber was an ardent opponent of slavery and one of the few White New Haven residents to actively and publicly support the proposal for a Black college in 1831. He wrote about the Amistad trial and published widely circulated images of that story of kidnapped and enslaved African people who fought for and won their liberation in 1839-1840.

Mondays at Beinecke online talks focus on materials from the collections and include an opening presentation at 4pm followed by conversation and question and answer beginning about 4:30pm until 5pm.