Edward Christopher Williams had a major impact on librarianship, not only as the first documented African American to graduate from a library school, but also as a developer of education for librarians and as an active member of the American Library Association (ALA) and the Ohio Library Association. This study used the historical methodology design to find causal connections of Williams' contributions to librarianship. Research involved the collection, classification and analysis of historical articles, letters, manuscripts, monographs, records, etc., based on primary resources from archival materials at Case Western Reserve University (Ohio) and Howard University (District of Columbia) and on secondary sources from periodicals and books. Williams' contributions to the profession included: (1) an important role in the establishment and development of the library school at Case Western Reserve University, (2) establishment of library training classes, versus a full-fledged library school (for which there was insufficient demand) and extensive collection development at Howard University, (3) great skill as a reference librarian and instructor in library education, (4) advisor to many library institutions, conferences and associations, and (5) aid in planning the first Negro librarian conference at Fisk University (Tennessee) in 1930. Although Williams may be remembered as the first African American to graduate from a library school, it is more important to remember him as a skilled librarian and an inspired educator whose accomplishments improved the institutions and students whom he served. (Contains 14 references.) (MAS)