Series 1. Correspondence, 1920 - 1921
Series
Scope and Contents
From the Collection:
This collection, spanning 1920 to 1923, consists of letters
sent to William J. Taylor and carbon copies of his replies.
The correspondence documents Marie Curie's visit to the
College of Physicians of Philadelphia on 23 May 1921.
Much of the correspondence in the collection is between
Taylor and Robert Abbe (1851-1928). Abbe, who lived in New
York City, was an Associate Fellow of the College of
Physicians and was largely responsible for arranging Marie
Curie's visit. The letters between Abbe and Taylor fully
document the event, from the initial planning stages to the
actual visit. Included in the correspondence are
descriptions of Curie's itinerary, which Taylor thought far
too demanding, and reports about the success of her visit.
Abbe's letters also discuss the display case he purchased
for the College. The "Abbe Cabinet" was designed to hold
'the items that Abbe had donated, including Benjamin Rush's
watch, and items belonging to Lister and Pasteur, The
letters also document Abbe's attempt to obtain an
electrometer used by Pierre and Marie Curie during their
early experimentation with radium; Abbe provides a sketch
of the instrument in his letter of 25 April 1921, The
electrometer was presented by Marie Curie during her visit
to the College and was placed in the Abbe Cabinet in the
Ashhurst Room. (Today, the Abbe Cabinet stands in the
Hutchinson Alcove.) The honor bestowed on the College by
this donation is expressed by Abbe in his letter to Taylor
of 22 March 1921:
My belief is that in getting this instrument, you
will have the only thing of its kind representing
that initial radium discovery in our country, and,
I doubt whether any other property, so real or so
valued will be possible to obtain.
Also present in Series 1 is correspondence between Taylor and officers of the Franklin Institute, including secretary R. B, Owens and President Walton Clark, concerning the invitation list for the special College meeting held in honor of Marie Curie. Series 1 also includes correspondence pertaining to the Marie Curie Radium Fund, a group organized to raise funds for the purchase of radium for Marie Curie, who was in need of radium to continue her research. Robert Abbe and William J. Taylor were both on the Committee of Scientists for this group. Included are letters announcing upcoming meetings, and two letters from Marie M. Maloney, the Chairwoman of the Marie Curie Radium Fund, who served as Curie's guide during her visit to Philadelphia.
Included among the miscellaneous correspondence is a draft of Taylor's letter to Marie Curie, thanking her for donating the electrometer to the College; a letter from John S, Muckle, a wealthy Philadelphian, offering the use of his guest rooms for Marie Curie during her visit; and a letter from Taylor to M. Carey Thomas, President of Bryn Mawr College, asking her to speak at the special College meeting held in honor of Curie, Series 2 contains clippings pertaining to Curie's visit to Philadelphia and the activities of the Marie Curie Radium Fund.
Also present in Series 1 is correspondence between Taylor and officers of the Franklin Institute, including secretary R. B, Owens and President Walton Clark, concerning the invitation list for the special College meeting held in honor of Marie Curie. Series 1 also includes correspondence pertaining to the Marie Curie Radium Fund, a group organized to raise funds for the purchase of radium for Marie Curie, who was in need of radium to continue her research. Robert Abbe and William J. Taylor were both on the Committee of Scientists for this group. Included are letters announcing upcoming meetings, and two letters from Marie M. Maloney, the Chairwoman of the Marie Curie Radium Fund, who served as Curie's guide during her visit to Philadelphia.
Included among the miscellaneous correspondence is a draft of Taylor's letter to Marie Curie, thanking her for donating the electrometer to the College; a letter from John S, Muckle, a wealthy Philadelphian, offering the use of his guest rooms for Marie Curie during her visit; and a letter from Taylor to M. Carey Thomas, President of Bryn Mawr College, asking her to speak at the special College meeting held in honor of Curie, Series 2 contains clippings pertaining to Curie's visit to Philadelphia and the activities of the Marie Curie Radium Fund.
Dates
- 1920 - 1921
Extent
From the Collection: .2 Linear feet
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Creator
- From the Collection: College of Physicians of Philadelphia. Office of the President (Organization)
- From the Collection: Taylor, William J. (William Johnson) (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
