Steinberg, Allen J. (1935-2014) | University of Illinois Archives

Allan J. Steinberg (1935-2014) was born to Samuel and Sophie (Bodner) Steinberg, and  grew up and attended school in Brooklyn, New York. He received his B.S. degree from New York University in 1956 and was working on a master's degree in geology when he was inducted into the Army. After his service, Steinberg became a publisher. Steinberg started as a sales representative for Crowell-Collier in Philadelphia and then for Frederick Praeger and Company in Chicago before coming to the University of Illinois Press as national sales manager in 1965. He also started an antiquarian book business, Stonehill's.

He believed that public libraries are "the last bastion of democracy," and in retirement devoted much time and energy to the Champaign Public Library. He was president of both the Library Board and the Friends of the Library Board