This fund was established in 1991 by Herbert Russell Gaylord to support resources in the George A. Smathers Libraries and expenses related to the acquisition and maintenance of those resources.

Herbert Russell Gaylord was born December 31, 1909, in Tampa. He earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Florida in 1932 and completed two years of graduate study there.

From 1935-75, Gaylord worked for Florida Power and Light Company, rising to the position of senior engineer. He served in WWII with the U.S. Army Signal Corps from 1941-45, participating in the invasion of Normandy. Gaylord is also one of the founders of Rollins College in Winter Park, FL, and the author of Life in Florida Since 1886.

Gaylord passed away November 21, 2002, in Pinecrest, FL.