Drafts and notes for preparation of biography, after 1900
File — Box: 2, Folder: 12
Scope and Contents
From the Collection:
The John Ashhurst Papers collection documents the life and professional career of Dr. John Ashhurst from 1846 to 1901. Located in the collection are correspondence, book drafts, lecture notes, patient case information, and a biography of John Ashhurst by his son among other material. The collection contains five series: “Correspondence,” “Writings and Addresses,” “Teaching Material,” “Medical Research,” and “Cash Book,” arranged by relative size. Researchers interested in John Ashhurt’s life and career will find significant material in these papers.
The “Correspondence” series contains letters sent to and from John Ashhurst, largely of a professional nature. There are also letters exchanged with John Ashhurst’s immediate family. The series contains three subseries: “To John Ashhurst,” “From John Ashhurst,” and “Family.” It dates from 1846 to 1901.
The “To John Ashhurst” subseries containers letters sent to Ashhurst from friends and colleagues such as Dr. Samuel Gross, Joseph Leidy, Dr. Silas Weir Mitchell, and the University of Pennsylvania among others. There are also some letters sent from John Ashhurst’s father and brother, which were kept in this subseries given their original location in a large folder labeled “letters to John Ashhurst.” Folder titles state the purpose of most letters. Also located in the subseries are letters from friends and colleagues expressing condolence for the illness that eventually caused Ashhurst’s death. The subseries dates from 1853 to 1857, 1874 to 1898, and 1900. The folders are arranged first alphabetically by sender, then chronologically in the case of “other” senders.
The “From John Ashhurst” subseries contains letters sent from John Ashhurst to friends and colleagues primarily on professional issues such as applications for hospital positions and opinions on medical writings. There are also some letters regarding personal topics. The subseries dates from the 1850s, 1866 to 1895, and 1900. Folders are arranged alphabetically by last name.
The “Family” subseries contains letters sent from John Ashhurst to his immediate family. Each folder title notes the relationship between John Ashhurst and the family member receiving the letter. Also in the subseries are letters sent to John Ashhurst’s wife, Sarah, consoling her upon John Ashhurst’s death. The subseries dates from 1846 to 1861, and 1900 and 1901. The folders are arranged chronologically.
The “Writings and Addresses” series contains writings and addresses by John Ashhurst and others. It contains three subseries, arranged chronologically: “Pre-Professional,” “Professional,” and “Biography by Astley P. C. Ashhurst.” The series dates from 1848 to 1857, 1869, 1871, 1880 to 1881, 1892, and after 1900.
The “Pre-Professional” subseries contains the writings of John Ashhurst from adolescence and college years. These writings include his diary at age nine, a foreign language exercise book, and assembled essays on history and philosophy from his undergraduate years at the University of Pennsylvania. The series dates from 1848 to 1857, with the folders arranged chronologically.
The “Professional” subseries contains addresses and writings by John Ashhurst. The bulk of folders relate to the book The Principles and Practice of Surgery by Ashhurst, which was published in several editions. Also of note is correspondence relating to The International Encyclopedia of Surgery, which was contributed to by Ashhurst.
The “Biography by Astley P.C. Ashhurst” subseries contains material relating to the biography of John Ashhurst, assembled by his youngest son, Astley. Included in the subseries is a bibliography of John Ashhurst’s writings, a biography draft, as well as the biography itself, titled "The Life and Character of John Ashhurst Jr., by his youngest son, Astley P. C. Ashhurst." None of the items are dated, however given his passing in 1900; the series is dated after 1900. The folders are arranged alphabetically.
The “Teaching Material” series contains lectures, lecture notes, student examination information, and a valedictory speech from Ashhurst’s time spent as a Professor of Clinical Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. The series dates from 1879, 1890 to 1898, and undated. The folders are arranged alphabetically.
The “Medical Research” series contains medical case notes and catalogs of medical resources compiled by John Ashhurst during his career. Of note in the series is a large book (in two folders) containing notes on hundreds of John Ashhurst’s medical cases from 1862 to 1898. Also of note is a catalog of the books and manuscripts held in Ashhurst’s private library. The series dates from 1862 to 1898, with folders arranged alphabetically.
The “Cash Book” series contains a single book detailing John Ashhurst’s expenses from 1864 to 1898.
The “Correspondence” series contains letters sent to and from John Ashhurst, largely of a professional nature. There are also letters exchanged with John Ashhurst’s immediate family. The series contains three subseries: “To John Ashhurst,” “From John Ashhurst,” and “Family.” It dates from 1846 to 1901.
The “To John Ashhurst” subseries containers letters sent to Ashhurst from friends and colleagues such as Dr. Samuel Gross, Joseph Leidy, Dr. Silas Weir Mitchell, and the University of Pennsylvania among others. There are also some letters sent from John Ashhurst’s father and brother, which were kept in this subseries given their original location in a large folder labeled “letters to John Ashhurst.” Folder titles state the purpose of most letters. Also located in the subseries are letters from friends and colleagues expressing condolence for the illness that eventually caused Ashhurst’s death. The subseries dates from 1853 to 1857, 1874 to 1898, and 1900. The folders are arranged first alphabetically by sender, then chronologically in the case of “other” senders.
The “From John Ashhurst” subseries contains letters sent from John Ashhurst to friends and colleagues primarily on professional issues such as applications for hospital positions and opinions on medical writings. There are also some letters regarding personal topics. The subseries dates from the 1850s, 1866 to 1895, and 1900. Folders are arranged alphabetically by last name.
The “Family” subseries contains letters sent from John Ashhurst to his immediate family. Each folder title notes the relationship between John Ashhurst and the family member receiving the letter. Also in the subseries are letters sent to John Ashhurst’s wife, Sarah, consoling her upon John Ashhurst’s death. The subseries dates from 1846 to 1861, and 1900 and 1901. The folders are arranged chronologically.
The “Writings and Addresses” series contains writings and addresses by John Ashhurst and others. It contains three subseries, arranged chronologically: “Pre-Professional,” “Professional,” and “Biography by Astley P. C. Ashhurst.” The series dates from 1848 to 1857, 1869, 1871, 1880 to 1881, 1892, and after 1900.
The “Pre-Professional” subseries contains the writings of John Ashhurst from adolescence and college years. These writings include his diary at age nine, a foreign language exercise book, and assembled essays on history and philosophy from his undergraduate years at the University of Pennsylvania. The series dates from 1848 to 1857, with the folders arranged chronologically.
The “Professional” subseries contains addresses and writings by John Ashhurst. The bulk of folders relate to the book The Principles and Practice of Surgery by Ashhurst, which was published in several editions. Also of note is correspondence relating to The International Encyclopedia of Surgery, which was contributed to by Ashhurst.
The “Biography by Astley P.C. Ashhurst” subseries contains material relating to the biography of John Ashhurst, assembled by his youngest son, Astley. Included in the subseries is a bibliography of John Ashhurst’s writings, a biography draft, as well as the biography itself, titled "The Life and Character of John Ashhurst Jr., by his youngest son, Astley P. C. Ashhurst." None of the items are dated, however given his passing in 1900; the series is dated after 1900. The folders are arranged alphabetically.
The “Teaching Material” series contains lectures, lecture notes, student examination information, and a valedictory speech from Ashhurst’s time spent as a Professor of Clinical Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. The series dates from 1879, 1890 to 1898, and undated. The folders are arranged alphabetically.
The “Medical Research” series contains medical case notes and catalogs of medical resources compiled by John Ashhurst during his career. Of note in the series is a large book (in two folders) containing notes on hundreds of John Ashhurst’s medical cases from 1862 to 1898. Also of note is a catalog of the books and manuscripts held in Ashhurst’s private library. The series dates from 1862 to 1898, with folders arranged alphabetically.
The “Cash Book” series contains a single book detailing John Ashhurst’s expenses from 1864 to 1898.
Dates
- after 1900
Extent
From the Collection: 1.26 Linear feet
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Creator
- From the Collection: Ashhurst, John, Jr. (Person)
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
19 S. 22nd Street
Philadelphia PA 19103 United States
