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Correspondence of the Office of the Secretary of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia

 Collection
Identifier: CPP 1/003-01

Scope and Contents

The collection contains letterbooks of outgoing correspondence and files of incoming correspondence of the Office of the Secretary of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, 1890-1926. The bulk of the correspondence is derived from the tenures of Charles W. Dulles (1890-1896), Thomas R, Neilson (1896-1914), Francis R, Packard (1914- 1919), and John H. Girvin (Acting Secretary, 1917-1919; Secretary, 1919-1934). The collection gives a comprehensive view of the duties of the office and provides information to supplement the minutes of the College and Council, Material in the letterbooks in Series 1 is arranged chronologically. Complete indices to correspondents for the . . . . .; 1890-1899 and 1899-1920 volumes are included; the 1920-1926 volume contains an incomplete index. The letters in Series 2 are divided into five subseries, following the arrangement of the box files which originally housed the material. The correspondence of Thomas R, Neilson, 1895-1897 and 1898- 1901, and Francis R. Packard, 1910-1917, is filed in a strict chronological order within each alphabeticallyarranged folder. The letters of John H, Girvin, 1914-1920 and 1915-1924, are arranged alphabetically by correspondent within each folder. Although occasional copies of outgoing letters are found in Series 2, letters received comprise the bulk of the material. Most of the correspondence concerns College officers and Fellows, principally Robert Abbe, J, M, Da Costa, G. E. DeSchweinitz, H, A, Hare, William W. Keen, John B. Roberts, William J, Taylor, and J, C. Wilson. Major subjects in the correspondence are: fellowship propositions, recommendations, forfeitures, resignations, and notifications of deaths; reports of committees, secretaries, censors, and sections; proposed amendments to the by-laws; organizational and administrative matters and procedural inquiries; appointments to committees and offices; biographical information on Fellows; inquiries and correspondence concerning the annual Alvarenga Prize competition; gifts and bequests; and resolutions of the College on matters of general concern, particularly public health. The collection includes biographical and professional information and fellowship propositions with supporting letters of recommendation for Herman B. Allyn, William M, Angney, Henry D. Beyea, John A, Boger, William C. Braisted, John H, W, Chestnut, Charles Claxton, Arthur H, Cleveland, Charles N, Davis, S. Naudain Duer, Thomas C. Ely, William Marshall Hinkle, Aloysius O. J, Kelly, G. Hudson Makuen, Samuel W, Morton, T. D, Myers, F, Savary Pearce, William Campbell Posey, John H, W, Rhein, Joseph Sailer, William T, Shoemaker, Lawrence S. Smith, James Thorington, Clarence A, Veasey, William Hughes Wells, W, Reynolds Wilson, and George Woodward.

Dates

  • 1890 - 1926

Creator

Biographical / Historical

The office of the Secretary of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia was created during the organization of the College in 1787. The Secretary is the appointed officer of record. His original duties were to record the minutes and transactions of the College and preserve its documents and correspondence. In 1834, the Secretary was also empowered to keep lists of the fellows and provide them with certificates of membership. In 1863, the responsibility for notifying officers and committee members of election or appointaent devolved upon the Secretary. An annual report on the fellowship became part of the Secretary's responsibilities in 1870. At this time, a related office, the Recorder, was created to keep the minutes of all scientific sessions. The office of Recorder was abolished in 1914, and a salaried position, the Clerk, was created under the Secretary; the Secretary devoted himself to matters of fellowship while the Clerk preserved the minutes and papers of the College. The position of Clerk was abolished in 1925, and his duties were returned to the Secretary. In 1990, the Secretary was empowered to perform "all the duties appropriate to his or her post as the elected recording officer of the College and assure the duties and powers of the President in the absence or temporary incapacity of both the President and President-Elect".

Extent

2.8 Linear feet (7 document boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Overview

The office of the Secretary of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia was created during the organization of the College in 1787. The Secretary is the appointed officer of record. His original duties were to record the minutes and transactions of the College and preserve its documents and correspondence.

The collection contains letterbooks of outgoing correspondence and files of incoming correspondence of the Office of the Secretary of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, 1890-1926.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The provenance of this collection is unknown. It was processed and catalogued in 1991.
Title
Correspondence of the Office of the Secretary of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Historical Medical Library of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia Repository

Contact:
19 S. 22nd Street
Philadelphia PA 19103 United States
215-399-2001