Records of the Office of Secretary of the Philadelphia Academy of Surgery
Collection
Identifier: MSS 3/018
Scope and Contents
The records of the Philadelphia Academy of Surgery consist of membership lists; minutes of regular meetings and Council
meetings; reports; fellowship applications; and subject files.
Dates
- 1953 - 1989
- Majority of material found within 1955 - 1988
Creator
- Philadelphia Academy of Surgery (Organization)
Biographical / Historical
The Philadelphia Academy of Surgery was founded in 1879 by Samuel D. Gross, M.D., the chief of surgery at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. The Academy of Surgery is the oldest continuously meeting surgical society in the United States. The Philadelphia Academy predates Gross' founding of the American Surgical Association, which is widely considered to be the nation's most prestigious surgical society.
On December 24, 1879, the charter of the Academy was signed by nineteen Original Fellows, consisting of the ten founders and nine additional charter members. Dr. Samuel D. Gross was elected the first president on January 5, 1880. The Academy is still active as of May 2015.
As stated in its constitution, "The object of the Academy shall be the Cultivation and Improvement of the Science and Art of Surgery, the Elevation of the Medical Profession, the Promotion of the Public Health, and such other matters as may come legitimately within its sphere." Toward this end, the Academy of Surgery holds dinner meetings eight times each year; six meetings are held at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia 19 S. 22nd Street and the seventh is held jointly with the New York Surgical Society. The final meeting of the year is held jointly with the Metropolitan Philadelphia Chapter of the American College of Surgeons.
On December 24, 1879, the charter of the Academy was signed by nineteen Original Fellows, consisting of the ten founders and nine additional charter members. Dr. Samuel D. Gross was elected the first president on January 5, 1880. The Academy is still active as of May 2015.
As stated in its constitution, "The object of the Academy shall be the Cultivation and Improvement of the Science and Art of Surgery, the Elevation of the Medical Profession, the Promotion of the Public Health, and such other matters as may come legitimately within its sphere." Toward this end, the Academy of Surgery holds dinner meetings eight times each year; six meetings are held at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia 19 S. 22nd Street and the seventh is held jointly with the New York Surgical Society. The final meeting of the year is held jointly with the Metropolitan Philadelphia Chapter of the American College of Surgeons.
Extent
10 Linear feet (8 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Custodial History
The records of the Philadelphia Academy of Surgery were donated to the College of Physicians by the Academy in April 1994.
Creator
- Philadelphia Academy of Surgery (Organization)
- Title
- Records of the Office of Secretary of the Philadelphia Academy of Surgery
- 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
19 S. 22nd Street
Philadelphia PA 19103 United States
