John S. Best, a noted Milwaukee lawyer, conservationist, and dog breeder, built an extensive collection of books on a variety of subjects before his death in 1989.  To honor his memory, his wife, Helen M. Best, donated her husband's library to the Golda Meir Library in 1997.  The collection reflects Mr. Best's deep interest in wildlife, outdoor sportsmanship, and the breeding, raising and showing of dogs.  Mr. Best bred both Irish and Smooth Fox Terriers, and had a long line of champion dogs that is continued today by his daughter, Mary.  His passion for dogs in general, and Irish Terriers specifically, began when he was about ten years old after reading Jack London's Jerry of the Islands.  Later, in light of his collecting, he joked that Jerry of the Islands and its companion, Michael:  Brother of Jerry, were the two most expensive books he ever bought.  The collection stands as a lasting testimonial to the causes and activities that were closest to Mr. Best's heart, and to those of his family.

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View the finding aid of the manuscript collection,
Best, John S., 1906-1989; Papers, 1904-1997.

Color print reproduced from frontispiece of Hugh Dalziel, The Fox Terrier, and All About It, 2nd ed., rev. and brought up to date by J. Maxtee (London:  L. Upcott Gill, 1899).  (SPL) SF429.F5 D345x 1899

Engravings reproduced from Stonehenge [J. H. Walsh], The Dog in Health and Disease, 4th ed. (London:  Longmans, Green, and Co., 1887).   (SPL) SF426 .W35x 1887