John Griffith Ames was born in Dorset on this day in 1834. Ames became instrumental in allowing the public to access government documents.

Ames, an Episcopalian priest, was superintendent of documents in the Department of the Interior for more than thirty years.

He developed the numbering system for the United States Serial Set and compiled a comprehensive index for government publications from 1881-1893, known as the Ames Index.

Ames advocated for the Printing Act of 1895, which established a government printing office and a distribution system that insured free and easy public access.

The Vermont Book Of Days photo.