Walter Freeman autobiography
Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: MSS 2/014-02
Scope and Contents
Unbound typescript autobiography of Walter Freeman, written 1961-1970, discussing Freeman’s life, Keen
and Freeman families, his father, Walter J. Freeman, and Freeman’s work in neurology, neuropathology,
psychosurgery, and schizophrenia. Notable subjects are: Freeman’s work and disagreement with James W.
Watts on prefrontal and transorbital lobotomy; the second International Neurological Congress (1935);
Freeman’s follow-up studies of lobotomy patients; establishment of the El Camino Hospital in California; and his
research on psychiatrists.
Dates
- 1961 - 1970
Creator
- Freeman, Walter (Person)
Biographical / Historical
Walter Jackson Freeman II, neurologist and psychosurgeon, was born in Philadelphia on 14 Nov. 1895. He
was the son of Walter J. Freeman, physician, and a grandson of William W. Keen. Freeman married Marjorie
Lorne Franklin (d. 1970) in 1924. Freeman died on 31 May 1972. Freeman received an M.D. from the
University of Pennsylvania in 1920, and an M.S. in 1929 and Ph.D. in 1931 from Georgetown University. He
was an intern at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 1921-1923, then studied neurology in Paris and
Rome. In 1926, Freeman began his neurological practice in Washington, D.C. He was Director of Laboratories
at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington, 1924-1933, and Professor of Neurology at George Washington
University, 1926-1954. He was also Consulting Neurologist to Walter Reed Army Hospital, 1944-1954. He
moved his practice in California in 1954 and retired in 1968. Although elected to fellowship in the College of
Physicians of Philadelphia in 1956, Freeman rejected his election.
Extent
0.2 Linear feet (1 half document box)
Language of Materials
English
Creator
- Freeman, Walter (Person)
- Title
- Walter Freeman autobiography
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
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
215-399-2001
library@collegeofphysicians.org
19 S. 22nd Street
Philadelphia PA 19103 United States
215-399-2001
library@collegeofphysicians.org