W. S. W. Ruschenberger papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS 2/012

Scope and Contents

This collection of Ruschenberger's papers contains personal correspondence. The bulk of the collection consists of correspondence from Ruschenberger to his wife, Mary B. Wister, 1843-1848, and to his mother, Ann, 1826-1846. Although the correspondence with his wife is primarily concerned with domestic issues, principally the birth of their daughter, Fanny, these letters also describe a trip Ruschenberger made to Saratoga Springs in 1843 and are filled with information on basic medical care. The letters Ruschenberger wrote to his mother describe his career and experiences in the United States Navy and provide a sketch of life in Valparaiso, South America, in 1827. There are also small collections of letters received by Ruschenberger from his wife and mother.

The remainder of the collection is composed of letters received by Ruschenberger from various, mostly obscure, correspondents, presumably friends and acquaintances. There are occasional references to his published works, notably the 1844 letter from Philadelphia publisher, John Grigg. The only material with medical content is the series of letters from John Styles, a New York physician. Styles gives a personal account of a bout with dysentery and a cataract operation. Refer to the attached calendar for details.

Dates

1822 - 1851

Creator

Ruschenberger, W. S. W. (William Samuel Waithman) (Person)

Biographical / Historical

William Samuel Waithman Ruschenberger was born near Bridgeton, NJ, on September 4, 1807. He died in Philadelphia on March 24, 1895. He married Mary B. Wister (older sister of Caspar Wister and Owen J. Wister) on October 23, 1839; they had two children.

Ruschenberger was educated in Philadelphia and New York and then entered the Medical Corps of the United States Navy as Surgeon's Mate in 1826. He became an Assistant Surgeon in 1828. In 1830, he received his M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. His thesis concerned diseases of the liver. In 1831, Ruschenberger became a Surgeon in the Navy. From 1836 to 1839, Ruschenberger was Fleet Surgeon in the East Indies and China. He was then attached to the naval rendezvouz in Philadelphia from 1840 to 1842, then put in charge of the Naval Hospital in Brooklyn (1843-1847) where he organized the United States Naval Laboratory to provide supplies of medicine and instruments. Ruschenberger was sent back to the East India squadron in 1847 and to the Pacific squadron in 1854. He was sent to Philadelphia in 1857 and was in Boston during the Civil War. After the war, Ruschenberger was on special duty in Philadelphia. Although Ruschenberger retired from the Navy in 1869, he was granted the position of Medical Director (Commodore) in 1871 and held this rank until his death.

Most of Ruschenberger's renown stems from his published writing. He wrote accounts of his travels in the Navy, notably Three Years in the Pacific (1834) and A Voyage Around the World (1838) as well as many works on natural history. Ruschenberger was associated with the Academy of Natural Sciences for many years and was its president from 1869 to 1881.

W. S. W. Ruschenberger was elected to fellowship in the College of Physicians of Philadelphia in 1838. He became the eighth president of the College (1879-1883) and wrote its centennial history, An Account of the Institution and Progress of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia (1887).

Extent

.5 Box (23 folders)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Custodial History

The personal correspondence of W. S. W. Ruschenberger was purchased by the Historical Collections of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia from Xerxes Fine and Rare Books and Documents in 1988. Xerxes purchased the collection from Michael R. Linehan of Albany, New York.

The collection was processed and catalogued in 1989.