W. Benson Harer papers

This is a collection of papers of W. Benson Harer which includes drug evaluations, correspondence, appointment books and accounting records, certificates, patient records, writings, printed material, professional activities, and photographs. The collection was processed on two separate occasions.

From its initial processing, the collection includes the drug evaluation reports (1955-1960) for Schering; Smith, Kline and French; Squibb; Merck and others. There are individual patient records c. 1930s-1960s. Collection contains 18 volumes (1948-1967) of appointment and meeting logs, as well as accounting records. Collection also contains a paper authored by H.C. Carpenter and a photograph of Wilbur Flannery, M.D.

The collection was expanded to include materials which had been stored separately, including writings, printed material, professional activities, and photographs. Preexisting series have also been expanded, including correspondence, appointment books and accounting, and certificates.

The correspondence series now includes various letters to and from Harer between 1948-1960. Additional materials to the appointment books and accounting series include tax documents, receipts, Medical-Dental Bureau Collection records from 1958-1960, and lastly undated handwritten tabulations. Additions to the certificates series include certifications from the Chamber of Commerce, National Conference of Health, Welfare and Pension Plans, and the American Cancer Society.

In the writings series there are typewritten speeches, reports, co-authored pieces, and testimony, all written by Harer. Also included are typewritten presentations given by P.F. Lucchesi, MD among others.

Printed material includes newspaper clippings and newsletters, including several Pennsylvania Medical Society newsletters, the Bulletin of the Delaware County Medical Society, and Philadelphia Inquirer clippings regarding Harer’s work. It also includes American Medical Association Judicial Council Opinions and Reports from 1964 as well as a report to the board of trustees and councilors of the Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania from 1956. Additionally, there are meeting minutes for the Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania.

Professional activities series contains a blank copy of a health survey questionnaire, a professional activity study conducted in 1959, event ephemera from 1962-1965, and mailing lists.

The photographs series includes various professional photographs. There are various headshots, photos from the Philadelphia County Medical Society, and some from awards ceremonies. All photos are black and white. Not all photographs include dates, but they are likely from approximately 1960-1966.