17. W-Z, 1933-1938

File — Box: 7

Scope and Contents

From the Series: The collection contains records from 1931 to the 1970s, the bulk of the records dated during McDaniel's tenure as Librarian (1933-1953). Unless otherwise noted, the records are arranged by year or group of years, and then alphabetically and chronologically by correspondent. (In most cases where this system is not in place, materials are arranged chronologically.) Records of McDaniel's tenure as Curator are cataloged separately. There is overlap between the dates of McDaniel's papers as Librarian and his as Curator. Where logically appropriate, series that begin during McDaniel's time as Librarian and extend into his time as Curator are housed with the Librarian materials. Records may be filed under the personal name of the correspondent, an associated organization or institution, or both. Researchers should check under individual and institutional names.

Though it seems probable that the original order of this collection was disturbed prior to processing, the system of arrangement was created in an attempt to stay in keeping with McDaniel's original filing system, of which signs remain.

The collection sheds light on McDaniel as scholar, librarian, colleague, and as a person. In addition, the records reveal much about the College's Library itself, such as types of reference questions received and answered, details of acquisitions, successes and difficulties of daily operation, and relationships with Fellows. The records also provide a window into the library world in a larger sense. Through correspondence with librarians locally, nationally, and internationally (from institutions such as Stanford, Yale, the Mayo Clinic, the US Armed Forces Library, and McGill University), one may observe the library community at work, as they communicated with one another about their own libraries and the greater library and scholarly world. Finally, the collection at times lends an interesting perspective on the broader world, through documents such as those from the US government regarding procedures for the American Press during World War II.

The majority of the collection consists of various types of correspondence. Also included are publications, presentations, and other writings by McDaniel, as well as records of acquisitions activity and other administrative records. Accordingly, the collection is arranged in the following series:

I. Meeting Minutes and Reports (1932-1973)

II. Library Acquisitions (1931-1938)

III. Reference and General Correspondence (1933-1953)

IV. Correspondence with Fellows of the College of Physicians (1933-1938)

V. Transactions & Studies (1937-1951)

VI. Publications, Presentations, and Other Writings (1934-1970s)

VII. Administrative (1933-1957)

VIII. Associations

IX. Programs

X. Correspondence from the Autograph Case

Series I consists of meeting minutes of the Library Committee and reports about the Library.

Series II, acquisition records from 1931 to 1938, is arranged alphabetically by correspondent; in the case of copious correspondence with two book vendors (N. V. Swets and Zeitlinger, and B. Westman Co., Inc.), documents are arranged by vendor, and then chronologically by year only. This series consists of documents ( correspondence, invoices and receipts, telegrams, and a sprinkling of promotional pamphlets for books) related to the sale or donation of materials (mostly books, journals, and bulletins, but some journal articles and portraits) to, or on occasion from, the College. In some cases, interesting facts about works in question are included in the correspondence: evaluations made, outstanding contents highlighted (such as an illustration), and popularity or status noted. Requests on the part of the Library for reprints are also included. Correspondence occurred between individuals and publication houses, both here and abroad. Highlights include extensive correspondence with Logan Clendening regarding the Harveys; extensive correspondence with Emily Emmant concerning the Hernandez work, and Ximenez; and correspondence with Friedenwald concerning Peter Keyser, a "quack" related to a Supreme Court Judge. After 1938, less acquisitions material appears to have been retained. After this date, acquisitions materials are included along with general correspondence.

General correspondence from 1933-1953 is found in Series III. The majority of the series consists of incoming and outgoing correspondence, arranged alphabetically by correspondent within a given time frame, which ranges from six months to five years, depending upon the amount of correspondence and how it was found in the archives. Correspondents include fellows, other librarians (from local, national, and some international libraries), scholars, publishers, and the general public.

The correspondence spans a wide range of topics and level of detail, containing a lot of information about the College's collection and medical history, and reveals the breadth of individuals and institutions with which McDaniel communicated. All varieties of correspondence, however, nearly universally paint a picture of McDaniel's kind, respectful, and useful assistance to those at all levels, from doctors and librarians to individuals researching relatives. The correspondence reveals the high regard in which others held McDaniel, and the foundation for such regard. In addition, the ambivalence he sometimes appeared to feel towards his own work and abilities is also occasionally made evident. The amount of correspondence from a given individual or institution may vary significantly by year. Researchers should be sure to check under both individual and institutional names for given correspondents.

Correspondence with Fellows of the College is found in Series IV. The years 1933-1938 are arranged alphabetically by correspondent. The correspondence includes topics such as suggestions for purchases, other acquisitions issues, donations, announcements of book arrivals, requests for the Fellows to review titles, opinions on various books, and some reference questions. These documents shed light on the ways in which McDaniel and the Fellows interacted. After 1933-1938, correspondence with Fellows appears to have been kept with general correspondence. Researchers looking for correspondence from a particular Fellow during 1933-1938 should check series besides IV for additional correspondence.

Series V contains records of Transactions & Studies, primarily correspondence. Author Correspondence is arranged alphabetically by correspondent, and consists of direct communications with authors of works to appear in Transactions & Studies. The author's correspondence allows a view of what editorship involved (working through changes in drafts, unhappy authors, deadline problems, misunderstandings from lecturers that a written manuscript was also required), and the stresses therein. Other folders include invoices, reports, and a separate folder houses contains correspondence from the US Board of Economic Warfare, US Office of Censorship, the National Research Council, and the Department of National Revenue, and concerns publishing Transactions & Studies during World War II.

Series VI, arranged roughly in chronological order, includes various publications, presentations, and other writings by McDaniel. Often, correspondence regarding research or editing of a particular writing is included in the folder that contains the actual final product and/or drafts. One folder of materials about McDaniel is also included.

Administrative records are found in Series VII. There are folders on the McDaniel's hiring, Union Library Catalogue of Philadelphia, and printed Library rules and pamphlets. The folders are arranged generally chronologically.

Series VIII contains records about associations, including some correspondence, arranged chronologically.

In Series IX are records concerning programs at the College of Physicians. Folders cover the Section on Medical History and lectureships. Of note are biographical sketches of lecturers. There are also general letters to Fellows about College programs, sent out during the tenure of College President Lewis Scheffey.

Series X contains correspondence. Significant because of the correspondents, the letters were earlier removed from McDaniel's files with the intention of cataloging them in a separate collection called the Autograph Case. No index card or other file was produced for McDaniel's material, so the "Autograph Case" correspondence has been returned to McDaniel's papers. The correspondence is arranged alphabetically by correspondent, within various bands of time.