Low Memorial Library, New York

The origins of Low Memorial Library date to 1895. The Columbia University president, Seth Low, funded the construction of the library himself. He named the library after his father, businessman Abiel Abbott Low.

Low Memorial Library has become something of an icon and a central feature of the university. Students commonly meet on the steps of the library. It has been used for celebrations and for protests alike.

Images of the building are often synonymous with the university itself. This is likely due to the fact that it was the first building constructed on the university's current site in Morningside Heights.

The library was designed by Charles Follen McKim. It was patterned after the Pantheon in the neo-classical architectural style. It uses ionic columns and the shape of the Greek cross in its layout. The interior of the library includes busts of Zeus, Apollo and Pallas Athena.

Low Memorial Library was given the distinction of being a New York City landmark in 1967. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.