David Lewis autograph letters

Collection

Identifier: MSS 2/045

Scope and Contents

Letters describe David W. Lewis’s life and experiences as a medical student at Jefferson Medical College, 1845-1846, and his first private practice in Ebensburg, Pa., in 1846. Most of the content dwells on the difficulties of Lewis’ separation from his fiancee, Maria; there is also a great deal of religious speculation. One letter, 11 Dec. 1845, mentions illness among the students, and another, [ca. 7 Jan. 1846], describes an outbreak of smallpox in Philadelphia and a debate over vaccination as well as Lewis’ decision to not purchase tickets for the dissecting room at Jefferson and his reactions to public lectures on missionary work and pacifism. The letter written on 26 Jan. 1846 contains Lewis’ opinions concerning the best sites for a medical practice in rural Pennsylvania. He then describes Ebensburg to Maria in his letter of 3 Apr. 1846.

Published as Horrocks, Thomas A., and Jack Eckert "Dearest Maria : Letters from a Medical Student in Philadelphia to His Fiancee, 1845-1846," Transactions & Studies of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, ser. 5, vol. 12, no. 3, 1990, pp. 367-385.

Dates

1845 - 1846

Creator

Lewis, David W. (David William) (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Lewis's December 1846 letter to Maria is temporarily unavailable for research due to exhibition as part of the Postmortem project.

Biographical / Historical

David William Lewis was born in 1822 or 1823. He attended Jefferson Medical College for the 1845-1846 session and wrote his thesis on the pulse. Lewis received his M.D. from Jefferson Medical College in 1846 and died in Pittsburgh, Pa., on 9 Nov. 1873.