Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh papers of Lewis W. Bluemle

Collection

Identifier: CPP 2/003-01

Scope and Contents

The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh Tercentenary Papers, spanning 1967 to 1981, are part of the records of the Office of the President of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. The bulk of the papers date from 1980 to 1981, when Lewis W. Bluemle was President of the College of Physicians. The papers document Bluemle's involvement in the Tercentenary Congress of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

Series 1 contains correspondence pertaining to the preparations for the Tercentenary Celebration. Present is Bluemle's correspondence with John A. Strong, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, including a letter informing Strong of his election to Honorary Fellowship in the College of Physicians of Philadelphia (28 April 1981) and a letter informing Bluemle of his election to the Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (28 July 1981). Bluemle's correspondence with Peter J. Koblenzer concerns Koblenzer's preparation of a paper for the Tercentenary Congress.

Series 1 also includes correspondence concerning the gifts that the College of Physicians presented to the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh in honor of their tercentenary. Included are letters documenting Bluemle's attempt to acquire a tribute, signed by Philadelphia Mayor William J, Green, recognizing the historic link between Edinburgh and Philadelphia; present is a letter signed by Mayor Green (18 September 1981). Also present is correspondence concerning the commission of a portrait of John Morgan, presented to the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh by the College of Physicians. Series 1 also contains correspondence with the SmithKline Corporation, which donated funds to the College for the expense of these gifts.

Included in Series 2 are speeches and presentations. Present is a speech given by Bluemle at the unveiling of the John Morgan portrait at a meeting of the College of Physicians (13 August 1981). Also included are transcripts of Koblenzer's speech on ''Edinburgh's Influence on Medicine in the New World" and Bluemle's presentation of the John Morgan portrait to the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (8 September 1981).

Series 3 contains miscellaneous material, including Bluemle's notes from his trip to Edinburgh, in which he recounts his travels and the first day of the Tercentenary Congress (5-6 September 1981). Also present is a photoprint of the tribute signed by Mayor Green and a photoprint of the John Morgan portrait, Series 3 also contains printed material distributed at the Tercentenary Congress, including programs, announcements, a street map of Edinburgh, and reprints of articles and abstracts. Included in the miscellaneous printed material are photocopies of articles about the College of Physicians and the life of John Morgan.

Dates

1967 - 1981
Majority of material found within 1980 - 1981

Creator

Bluemle, Lewis W. (Person)

Office of the President history

The Office of the President of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia is first described in the 1787 constitution. The constitution states that the President "shall have power to call extraordinary Meetings whenever important, or unexpected Business shall require, of which he shall be the Judge", The constitution also states that the president was authorized to call a special session when requested by at least six Fellows. According to the 1834 by-laws, the president was responsible for presiding at College meetings and signing orders from the treasurer, but he could not discuss any questions while in the chair except when necessary to coae to a decision. This latter regulation was dropped from the 1863 by-laws, and new responsibilities were added in 1882, when the president was given "general supervision of the affairs of the College" and was required to present an annual address.

In 1886, due to the influence of president S, Weir Mitchell, the by-laws were again amended. Mitchell secured the right to be informed of all committee meetings and to attend them if he wished, Another of Mitchell's requests, for a five year presidential term, was never approved. The responsibilities of the president re•ained •uch the saae until 1914. In the by-laws of this year, the president's duty of "sign[ing] all warrants on the Treasurer" was omitted. 1925 marked a major change in the Office of the President; in this year, he was granted ex-officio membership in all standing committees and had the power to elect most committee members. The first regulation concerning the president's term was instituted in the 1935 by-laws, which state that no president aay serve more than three years in a row. Additional changes in the Office of the President did not occur until 1972. The by-laws of this year state that the president must publish his annual address, subait a yearly summary of ·the activities of the College, and "appoint all standing committees and designate the Chairmen", with the exception of the Noainating committee, The president's term was again restricted in the 1984 bylaws, which state that the president is liaited to one two year term. As of 1991, the president presides at meetings, appoints coaaittees and defines their duties, serves as an ex-officio meaber of all coaaittees, and has "all other duties and powers usually pertaining to the office".

Extent

.2 Linear feet (1 half document box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Custodial History

This collection of Lewis W. Bluemle's papers from the Tercentenary Congress of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh was transferred to the Historical Collections of the Library of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia by 'Dr. Bluemle, probably on 22 September 1981. The collection was processed and cataloged in 1991.