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.