Albert King Hawkes (June 1848 - November 1916) was an optometrist, inventor, and philanthropist and proponent of children's libraries in rural Georgia towns.[1] [2] Several Hawkes Children's Library buildings were constructed from his advocacy and charitable work. Some of the libraries included theaters.[1] Hawkes planned to build 100 new libraries in Georgia. He helped fund several in his will.[2] The Hawkes Children's Library of West Point and Hawkes Children's Library (Cedartown, Georgia) are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.