James Tyson papers
Collection
Identifier: MSS 442
Scope and Contents
The James Tyson papers date from circa 1873 to 1914 and document parts of a nineteenth-century Philadelphia physician’s professional life. The collection is divided into five series and includes correspondence, newspaper clippings, genealogical information, and writings.
Series I: Clippings is mostly undated, but includes an obituary for Tyson’s father, Dr. Henry Tyson, from 1873, and a 1905 article from the Baltimore Sun about the Tyson family lineage. Many other clippings also concern other family members and family history.
Series II: Correspondence, 1889 to 1914, is mostly professional in nature, dealing with Tyson’s election as President of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia in 1907 as well as various medical topics.
Notes about the history of the Tyson family, and correspondence between Tyson and his cousin, Henry, make up the bulk of Series III: Genealogical information (1890 to 1901). Much of the material is undated, but Tyson’s letters with his cousin are dated 1901.
Series IV: Professional associations represents some of Tyson’s work with the Rush Hospital for Consumption during the years 1911 to 1914 as well as his involvement in the Department of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in 1908.
Series V: Writings, circa 1898 to 1914, comprise the bulk of the collection, and include papers read at graduations and the College of Physicians of Philadelphia; manuscript drafts of articles on various medical topics; and testimonials.
Series I: Clippings is mostly undated, but includes an obituary for Tyson’s father, Dr. Henry Tyson, from 1873, and a 1905 article from the Baltimore Sun about the Tyson family lineage. Many other clippings also concern other family members and family history.
Series II: Correspondence, 1889 to 1914, is mostly professional in nature, dealing with Tyson’s election as President of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia in 1907 as well as various medical topics.
Notes about the history of the Tyson family, and correspondence between Tyson and his cousin, Henry, make up the bulk of Series III: Genealogical information (1890 to 1901). Much of the material is undated, but Tyson’s letters with his cousin are dated 1901.
Series IV: Professional associations represents some of Tyson’s work with the Rush Hospital for Consumption during the years 1911 to 1914 as well as his involvement in the Department of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in 1908.
Series V: Writings, circa 1898 to 1914, comprise the bulk of the collection, and include papers read at graduations and the College of Physicians of Philadelphia; manuscript drafts of articles on various medical topics; and testimonials.
Dates
- circa 1873-1914; undated
Creator
- Tyson, James (Person)
Biographical / Historical
James Tyson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on October 26, 1841, at 41 Cheny Street, below Cherry Street. His father was Dr. Henry Tyson. His mother was Gertrude Havelin Tyson. They were members of the Society of Friends.
Tyson graduated from Haverford College in July 1860, and then entered the medical school of the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) and graduated in the spring of 1863. He was appointed acting assistant surgeon in the United States Army, serving in the army hospitals in and about Harrisburg — immediately preceding, during, and after the battle of Gettysburg. After a short term of service in the army, he was appointed resident physician at the Pennsylvania Hospital, and then again became acting assistant surgeon in the United States Army. In the fall of 1864, he formed a quiz class in Philadelphia, together with Doctors Hickman and Horatio C. Wood, which was the beginning of his long career as a teacher in the University of Pennsylvania.
From 1865 to 1866, he gave a course connected with the University of Pennsylvania entitled “Instruction in Microscopy.” In 1868, this became part of the curriculum of Penn. During the years 1866 and 1867, he was assistant to Francis Gurney Smith, professor at the University of the Institutes of Medicine. Later he served as professor of pathology at Penn. Tyson succeeded William Pepper as chair in the practice of medicine, a position he held until 1914.
He was elected a Fellow of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia in 1866, and served as its President from 1907 until 1910.
Tyson died February 19, 1918.
Source: Fussell, M. H. “Memoir of James Tyson, M.D.” Transactions & Studies of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia Third Series, no. 43 (1921): lxviiii-lxxiv.
Tyson graduated from Haverford College in July 1860, and then entered the medical school of the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) and graduated in the spring of 1863. He was appointed acting assistant surgeon in the United States Army, serving in the army hospitals in and about Harrisburg — immediately preceding, during, and after the battle of Gettysburg. After a short term of service in the army, he was appointed resident physician at the Pennsylvania Hospital, and then again became acting assistant surgeon in the United States Army. In the fall of 1864, he formed a quiz class in Philadelphia, together with Doctors Hickman and Horatio C. Wood, which was the beginning of his long career as a teacher in the University of Pennsylvania.
From 1865 to 1866, he gave a course connected with the University of Pennsylvania entitled “Instruction in Microscopy.” In 1868, this became part of the curriculum of Penn. During the years 1866 and 1867, he was assistant to Francis Gurney Smith, professor at the University of the Institutes of Medicine. Later he served as professor of pathology at Penn. Tyson succeeded William Pepper as chair in the practice of medicine, a position he held until 1914.
He was elected a Fellow of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia in 1866, and served as its President from 1907 until 1910.
Tyson died February 19, 1918.
Source: Fussell, M. H. “Memoir of James Tyson, M.D.” Transactions & Studies of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia Third Series, no. 43 (1921): lxviiii-lxxiv.
Extent
.4 Linear feet (1 document box)
Language of Materials
English
Overview
James Tyson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1841. He earned his M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1863, and served as acting assistant surgeon in the United States Army and resident physician at the Pennsylvania Hospital. Later he served as professor of pathology at Penn. Tyson succeeded William Pepper as chair in the practice of medicine, a position he held until 1914. He was elected a Fellow of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia in 1866, and served as its President from 1907 until 1910. He died in 1918.
The James Tyson papers date from circa 1873 to 1914 and document parts of a nineteenth-century Philadelphia physician’s professional life. The collection is divided into five series and includes correspondence, newspaper clippings, genealogical information, and writings.
Previously catalogued as 10c 30 and 10c 44.
The James Tyson papers date from circa 1873 to 1914 and document parts of a nineteenth-century Philadelphia physician’s professional life. The collection is divided into five series and includes correspondence, newspaper clippings, genealogical information, and writings.
Previously catalogued as 10c 30 and 10c 44.
Creator
- Tyson, James (Person)
- Title
- James Tyson papers
- Author
- Chrissie Perella
- Date
- March 2020
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
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
