Records of the Committee for an Institute of the History of Medicine

Collection

Identifier: CPP 10/033

Scope and Contents

The Records of the Committee for an Institute of the History of Medicine date from 1974 through 1977, and document the early beginnings of the Francis Clark Wood Institute for the History of Medicine. The collection includes correspondence, meeting minutes, and a transcription of a “symposium,” held before the Committee was officially formed, as well as proposals for an Institute. In addition, applications and correspondence regarding the hiring of the Institute’s first director, Ronald Kotrc, are housed in this collection.

Researchers should note that much more information about the founding of the Wood Institute can be found in CPP 14, the Records of the Francis Clark Wood Institute for the History of Medicine.

Dates

1974-1978

Creator

College of Physicians of Philadelphia. Committee for an Institute of the History of Medicine (Organization)

Biographical / Historical

The idea of forming an Institute for the History of Medicine at the College of Physicians was first proposed in 1966. In this year, President Francis Clark Wood appointed a committee to assess the changing needs of the College. The committee, chaired by George P. Berry of Harvard University, praised the College for its holdings, but felt that the public needed greater access to them.

In 1974, the President of the College, John Hubbard, put together a small committee to discuss the prospect of an institute for the history of medicine. In a proposal dated November 1974, the College wanted to “develop an Institute for the purposes of studying and teaching the history of medicine in relation to today’s problems…to [focus] on the current issues related to the health sciences, medical ethics, and the humanities as viewed in the light of their historical background”, and would focus on the Historical Collections of the College. The Institute would offer lectures on related topics, and be staffed by a Director (scholar), a second scholar, and administrative help.

The initial goals of the Institute for the History of Medicine were to organize research materials, provide funding for visiting scholars, and publish the journal of the College, Transactions and Studies. The Institute planned to establish a working relationship with Philadelphia universities and medical colleges, and it was hoped that these institutions eventually would provide the funding necessary to support the activities of the Institute. This arrangement never occurred, however; initial funding came from the National Library of Medicine, and in 1977, an anonymous source donated $500,000 to the Division of Medical History with the stipulation that the Division be named in honor of Francis Clark Wood.

The Francis Clark Wood Institute for the History of Medicine (Wood Institute) was founded in 1976 to support research in the field of social medical history. In January 1977, Ronald F. Kotrc was selected as the first Director of the F. C. Wood Institute. Kotrc was responsible for the administration of all historic departments of the College, including the Historical Collections of the Library and the Mutter Museum.

As of 2018, the Wood Institute sponsors conferences, occasional seminars, and short-term travel grants to researchers who require the resources of the museum and library.

Extent

.4 Linear feet (1 document box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Overview

The idea of forming an Institute for the History of Medicine at the College of Physicians was first proposed in 1966. In 1974, the President of the College, John Hubbard, put together a small committee to discuss the prospect of an institute for the history of medicine. The Francis Clark Wood Institute for the History of Medicine (Wood Institute) was founded in 1976 to support research in the field of social medical history. In January 1977, Ronald F. Kotrc was selected as the first Director of the F. C. Wood Institute. As of 2018, the Wood Institute sponsors conferences, occasional seminars, and short-term travel grants to researchers who require the resources of the museum and library.

The Records of the Committee for an Institute of the History of Medicine date from 1974 through 1977, and document the early beginnings of the Francis Clark Wood Institute for the History of Medicine.