John B. Deaver correspondence

Collection

Identifier: MSS 2/036-02

Scope and Contents

This small collection of John B. Deaver's letters received from other surgeons and physicians, 1885-1926, was probably retained for its autograph value. Prominent correspondents are John Ashhurst, Jr., Calvin Coolidge, Harvey Cushing, S. Weir Mitchell, John B. Murphy, Sir William Osler, Maurice H. Richardson, A. W. Mayo Robson, N. Senn. and G. Grey Turner. The letters concern reactions to Deaver's published writings and notes on surgical cases and matters. The letter from Calvin Coolidge, 11 November 1924, thanks Deaver for his attentions to Coolidge's son.

Dates

1885 - 1926

Creator

Deaver, John B. (John Blair) (Person)

Biographical / Historical

John Blair Deaver, Philadelphia surgeon, was born on 25 July 1855 near Buck, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Joshua Montgomery and Elizabeth Moore Deaver. In 1889, Deaver married Caroline Randall; they had four children, John, Joshua, Elizabeth, and Harriet. John B. Deaver died of a progressive anemia at his home in Wyncote, Pennsylvania, on 25 September 1931.

Deaver received his M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1878. He then served internships at Germantown Hospital and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. In 1880, he opened his private practice and became Assistant Demonstrator of Anatomy at the University of Pennsylvania. At the University, he was Demonstrator of Osteology and Syndesmology (1883-1884), Demonstrator of Anatomy (18841887), Lecturer on Topographical Anatomy (1889-1891) and Assistant Professor of Applied Anatomy (1891-1899). He resigned from the University in 1899.

In 1886, Deaver also became Surgeon to Lankenau (then German) Hospital. He became Chief of the Surgical Department in 1896 and was noted for his skill and physical endurance as well as his abdominal surgery, particularly his appendectomies.

Deaver returned to the University of Pennsylvania in 1911 as Professor of the Practice of Surgery. In 1918, he became the John Rhea Barton Professor of Surgery and held this post until his retirement in 1922.

John B. Deaver was the author of 248 articles and several books including, Surgical anatomy (1899-1903 and 1926-1927); A treatise on appendicitis (1896); Surgery of the upper abdomen with A. P. C. Ashhurst (1909-1913); and Excursions into surgical subjects (1923).

Deaver became a Fellow of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia in 1887, was a member and president of the American College of Surgeons and the Post Graduate Medical Association of North America, and a member of the American Surgical Association.

Extent

0.2 Linear feet (1 half document box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Custodial History

The collection of John B. Deaver's letters received was donated to the College of Physicians of Philadelphia by J. Montgomery Deaver, Lankenau Medical Building, Philadelphia, PA 19151, on 30 June 1960, through the agency of Nicholas Padis.

An inventory of the collection was first compiled circa 1976. The letters were processed and catalogued in 1990.