Joseph B. Gilder

Every one in the Century will remember personally Joseph Benson Gilder. He seemed to know all his fellow-clubmen, to be interested in their experiences or impressions. Many Centurions now well along in years and in membership at 7 West 43rd Street can still recall the kindness of “Joe Gilder” when they first entered the clubhouse and were in doubt what to do with themselves when they arrived there. Gilder himself was always the embodiment of that spirit which makes the Century Club what it is; the spirit which instantly engages a habitual attendant at the long dining-table in cheerful conversation with a stranger on his right or left who may be an unknown out-of-town member or guest. To an American visitor at London it was once remarked by a long-time resident of that city, regarding one of London’s best-known clubs, that “of course you must be put up there, but you will find no one will speak to you.” This has never been the Century’s way, and it was certainly never Gilder’s.

Belonging to a family of well-known writers, Gilder gravitated early into journalism, the gateway through which in his day the literary profession was apt to be entered. As it happened, most of his many activities were devoted to periodical literature, with occasional excursions into book-editing and general business. In all of his occupations, his desire was insatiable to explore everything new and interesting; it gave color to every stage of his career. Among other qualities, he had an extraordinarily tenacious memory. It is a tradition among his intimates that he could once repeat verbatim the greater part, if not all, of Milton’s “Paradise Lost,” and all of Shakespeare’s sonnets.

Alexander Dana Noyes
1937 Century Association Yearbook