The marble chair was dedicated to James M. Greenwood (1836-1914) by his wife. The original Kansas City Public Library building was constructed under Greenwood's direction and he was committed to making its services available to the public for the rest of his life. He served on the Kansas City Public School board as a superintendent for nearly four decades. Through his progressive programs and vision, Greenwood became highly regarded in educational spheres. Engraved in the back of the chair are the words: "A memorial to James M. Greenwood / Educator of Missouri / Superintendent of Public Schools of Kansas City 1874-1913." The massive white marble and reserved ornament of the chair conveys the sense of honor and distinction to this lifelong contributor to the Kansas City community's educational institutions.