Frank Fisher papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS 2/048

Scope and Contents

This small collection of Frank Fisher materials contains correspondence, a pathological report, two miscellaneous items, and some financial bills and receipts.

Series 1 contains 20 letters received by Frank Fisher and 1 letter which he wrote, 1891-1908. Many of these items deal with ophthalmological matters or patients of Fisher. Notable items include: a letter, 1908, from Blanche Bard Dailey concerning Fisher's charges; a referral from L. Webster Fox (ca.1891?); case reports by A. S. Harshberger, 1902, John V. Shoemaker, 1908, and Samuel M. Wilson, 1907; and a request for a reference from Frank C. Parker, 1905

A detailed pathological report on a patient with a growth in the eye ball by Harold G. Goldberg in 1904 is contained in Series 2. Fisher was the Surgeon for this case.

Series 3 includes Fisher's notification of election into the Philadelphia County Medical Society in 1879.

Miscellaneous bills and receipts, 1886-1905, are contained in Series 4. Several of these items are Fisher's receipts for membership in organizations such as the Art Club of Philadelphia and the Alumni Association of Jefferson Medical College. There is also an 1895 invoice for surgical instruments and several receipts from Fisher's sister, Mary, for the rent of 1832 Arch Street, possibly the site of the Fishers' office at that time.

Dates

1879 - 1908

Creator

Fisher, Frank (Person)

Biographical / Historical

Frank Fisher, Philadelphia ophthalmologist, was born in Delaware in 1854; he was the son of James H. Fisher, a physician. Frank Fisher received his M.D. from Jefferson Medical College in 1875. He was licensed to practice in medicine in 1881 and, in 1885, began to specialize in ophthalmology. Frank Fisher died on 5 or 6 September 1922.

For most of his professional career, Fisher was associated with Wills Eye Hospital. He became a Resident Surgeon there in 1875, then Clinical Clerk (1875-1890), and, finally, Attending Surgeon (1890-1916). Fisher worked also as Instructor in Ophthalmoscopy at the Medico Chirurgical College, circa 1885 to 1893 and as an assistant to P. D. Keyser.

Fisher was elected to membership in the Philadelphia County Medical Society in 1879. He was also a member of the American Medical Association, the Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania, and the American Academy of Medicine.

Frank Fisher shared his private practice with his sister, Mary Fisher (1853? 1938), a graduate of Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania. In 1930, Mary Fisher established the Mary Fisher Ophthalmic Lecture Foundation of the Philadelphia County Medical Society in memory of her father, mother, and brother.

Extent

5 folders

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Physical Location

Small collections

Custodial History

This collection of Frank Fisher's papers was donated to the Historical Collections of the Library of the College of Physicians as part of a large gift by Samuel X Radbill, circa April 1984. The collection was processed and catalogued in January 1990.