text: who is lenox avenue in harlem, new york named after? otherwise known as malcolm x blvd in harlem, new york. james lenox (19 august 1800 - 17 february 1880) was an american bibliophile and philanthropist, born in new york city. lenox was a founder of the presbyterian hospital in new york city. his collection of paintings and books eventually became known as the lenox library and later became part of the new york public library in 1895. in 1913, the collection was moved to the central library. the frick collection stands on the library's former fifth avenue site. lenox avenue runs north-south through harlem in upper manhattan. originally a part of sixth avenue, which was renamed in 1887 for james lenox. in 1987, it was co-named malcolm x boulevard (both names are officially recognized).