The holdings of the Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library range from ancient papyri to
records of modern advertising. There are over 10,000 manuscript collections containing more
than 20 million individual manuscript items. Only a portion of these collections and items
are discoverable on this site. Others may be found in the library catalog.
6.5 Linear Feet — 9 boxes; 1 oversize folder — approx. 1800 items — approximately 1800 items
U.S. thoracic surgeon, rare book and manuscript collector. The papers consist mostly of correspondence, printed material, photographs, and lecture notes taken during medical training, as well as diplomas and certificates of residency, and notes and drafts for published and unpublished research and articles. The bulk of the material documents Dr. Trent's activities and publications as collector and historian of medical practice, particularly surgery and epidemiology. There are folders of photographic reproductions of medical texts and illustrations dating from the 16th century to the 20th century, whose content is reflected in the earliest dates for the collection. There is also material relating to Dr. Trent's death and the subsequent donation of his rare book and manuscripts collection to the Duke Medical Center Library, along with condolences and other items related to his wife, Mary Duke Biddle Trent. Acquired as part of the History of Medicine Collections at Duke University.
The Josiah C. Trent papers consist mostly of correspondence, photographs, research files, and notes and drafts of published and unpublished research and articles. Many of these materials concern Dr. Trent's activities and publications as a collector and historian of medical practice, particularly surgery and epidemiology. The collection also includes printed materials, photographs, a card file - possibly of his personal library, and lecture notes taken during his medical training, as well as diplomas and certificates of residency. The Writings series reveals his wide interests in surgery, medicine in general, the humanities, and medical history.
There is also material relating to Dr. Trent's death and the subsequent donation of his large rare book, artifact, and manuscript collection to the Duke Medical Center Library. Early dates in the collection refer to the content of reproductions of 16th-19th century medical illustrations rather than their dates of reproduction.
The correspondence, found in the Subject Files folders, dates mostly from the 1940s and 1950s, documenting Dr. Trent's rare book and manuscript collecting, and his involvement with various professional organizations and his association and friendships with prominent figures in various fields: medical history - John Fulton, Henry Sigerist, W. W. Francis; book collecting - Henry Schuman; Duke University - Wilburt Davison, Lenox D. Baker. Some folders contain an index of the contents.
There is also some information concerning Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans, Dr. Trent's wife, who was instrumental in facilitating the support of the history of medicine collections at Duke.
The collection also contains several hundred photographic prints and negatives reproducing medical texts and illustrations dating from the 16th to 20th centuries. The earliest dates in the collection refer to the content of the images, rather than their reproduction by Dr. Trent, Duke Medical Library staff, and others, in the mid-20th century.
The files were kept in Dr. Trent's medical office and contain relatively few items which pertain to his private life. Items of a more personal nature may be found in the James H. and Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans Family Papers in the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
Acquired as part of the History of Medicine Collections at Duke University.
Document on folded parchment, written in French, from Maltese branch of Knights Hospitaller. Content currently unknown. More modern stamp in blue ink on document indicates that the document was in the "Archives de l'Ordre Malthe."
Holograph document, signed. Deed for a grant of land. On verso, a receipt for quit rent due on the granted, dated 1739, and a certificate of entry in the Office for Recording of Deeds, dated 1755.
William Helfand is a scholar of pharmaceutical history and art, and collector of ephemera and art related to medicine. The William H. Helfand Collection of Medical Prints and Posters consists of 34 prints and posters realted to the history of medicine and pharmacology, dating from 1695 to 1991, with the bulk of the prints dating from 19th century. Paris, France is the provenance for many of the posters, but several hail from England and the United States. The posters are represented in two formats: lithographs and engravings, some of which are hand colored. Ranging in size from 5"x8" to 19"x23", the prints include caricatures, political satire, comics and advertisements, dealing with a range of subjects from quacks, alchemy, charlatans and cheats, to pastoral and hospital scenes. George Cruikshank and Honoré Daumier are represented amongst the artists. Acquired as part of the History of Medicine Collections at Duke University.
The William H. Helfand Collection of Medical Prints and Posters consists of 34 prints and posters realted to the history of medicine and pharmacology, dating from 1695 to 1991, with the bulk of the prints dating from 19th century. Paris, France is the provenance for many of the posters, but several hail from England and the United States. The posters are represented in two formats: lithographs and engravings, some of which are hand colored. Ranging in size from 5"x8" to 19"x23", the prints include caricatures, political satire, comics and advertisements, dealing with a range of subjects from quacks, alchemy, charlatans and cheats to pastoral and hospital scenes. George Cruikshank and Honoré Daumier are represented amongst the artists. Acquired as part of the History of Medicine Collections at Duke University.
ALS discussing minerals, coins and astronomy. He mentions the Royal Society, Sir Hans Sloane, Robert Hooke and Edmund Halley, among others. Some letters bear explanatory manuscript notes, probably in Palmer's hand.
Mead writes to Anthony Askew, during period of Askew's medical studies in Leyden and his tour of the Continent, on classical studies. Papers also include a document of a legal transaction between Mead and a Mr. Gore.
5 letters (ALS). Askew writes to Richard Mead and to his father, Dr. Adam Askew, about his travels, including visits to the library at Wolfenbuttel, and the Herculaneum. He discusses his classical studies, commenting on the work of various classicists including Richard Dawes, Richard Bentley, John Mill, and Johann Jacob Reiske.
Papers relate to Schomberg's petition and appeal to become a member of the Royal College of Physicians. Schomberg was summoned by the President and Censors of the College, to be examined for a license. He declined to do so and his practice was interdicted. Schomberg then commissioned Sir George Lee to test the legality of this decision.
Document, signed by Simon Johnson, recorder of New York. Bond to keep the peace brought by Dr. James Magra against Dr. Peter Middleton and Dr. William Farquhar.
ALS. Fothergill comments upon a volume sent him by Emanual Mendez da Costa, foreign secretary of the Royal Society of London. Da Costa writes in reply. His letter bears no signature.
Autograph dedication in Italian by Morgagni. On the reverse of this is a note in German by Sigismund Breit. A letter in English from the Army Medical Library authenticates the signature to be that of Morgagni.
ALS. Malcolm Flemyng writes, in English, to Haller on medical matters. He sends a second letter, in Latin, in which he refers to Haller's Physiology and to John Locke. Haller writes, in French, to Ignazio Somis, reporting on fever in the family, malaria in Germany and other matters.
ANS. Reviews A.M. Salvini's Italian translation of Xenophon of Ephesus, "Di Senofonte Efesio degli Amori di Abrocome e d'Anzia", sent to the Empress Maria Theresa by the Chancellery of Hungary. Condemns the essay appended to the second edition of the volume, "Cicalata sopra una ceria curiosa statuetta", as "tres impudique". Note is evidence of Swieten's function as censor to the Empress' library. A typed transcript and an English translation are available.
Holograph document, signed. Diploma granted by Edinburgh University, signed by Alexander Monro, William Cullen, and Alexander Monro, Jr., among others.
ALS. Introduces Benjamin Rush and Jonathan Potts. Refers to inquiries into Swinton's lands in New Jersey, made on his behalf by Franklin's son, William, then Governor of New Jersey.
Holograph documents, signed. Mostly account statements from medical suppliers, Richard Speaight and Langharne of New York City and Chris. Jr. and Charles Marshall of Philadelphia. Statements list purchased items and their prices. Also a bond, Davidson to Sarah Ashbridge and Robert Martin, for 612 pounds.
Holograph document, signed by Fre. Smythe, is a New Jersey medical license. ANS documents his finding that a William Young is fit for mustering, an IOU, and the receipt of dividends from shares in the Ohio Company.
Letters (ALS), including instructions for the third edition of Buchan's "Domestic Medicine". In the same letter he also relates anecdotes of incidents in which people made use of the book's medical advice. A letter to Cadell and Davies (booksellers and publishers) concerns his Medical advice to mothers and his Treatise on venereal disease. This letter was removed from the Thomas Cadell collection. A holograph note, in an anonymous hand, provides biographical information.
In an ALS dated 1773 Downman settles his account and requests that the remaining copies of his poem, "The land of the muses", be sent to him. A holograph note in an unknown hand gives biographical information.
Papers include a receipt for the sale of land signed by Physick's father, Edmund Physick, and receipts signed by Physick himself. Physick writes a letter of recommendation for William Milnor; responds to West Point cadet Ellis' inquiries regarding a thigh injury; and writes to Jaspar Yeates about the unsatisfactory progress of Physick's student and Yeates' relative, J. Hand. Yeates' biography is detailed in a letter from Whitfield J. Bell to Henry Schuman.
Papers include correspondence from John Jones, David Jackson and William Duncan, and statements of account with a dentist, physicians and pharmacists, including Andrew Spence, Philip S. Physick, Benjamin Rush, Nicholas Belleville, John Hart, John Ott and William Evans.
2 ALS. Jackson describes the political situation in New Hampshire in 1775 and voices his concern regarding an outbreak of smallpox in a small town on Lake Winnepesaukee, fearing that it might spread through the countryside.
Holograph documents, signed. Swift's accounts against Jonathan Hufty (1778) and against Jacob Laughlin (1776-1779). On the reverse of each account, Justice of the Peace William Rush notes Swift's sworn testimony that accounts have not been paid (1782).
ALS. Gives an account of the death of General Mercer in the Battle of Princeton and of his burial in Philadelphia to Mrs. Gordon, a relative of the General.
Autograph and holograph documents, signed, for receipt of funds from Jonathan Trumbull for the running of the General Hospital in the Northern District. Both documents also bear receipts on the reverse side.
Papers include ALS, a receipt for taxes paid, and a statement of service for Jacques Francois Baron. The fourth item is an English translation of a missing item.
Holograph document, signed. Statement of provisions and stores delivered to the Philadelphia General Hospital from July 1778 to February 1779. Signed by Thomas Jones.
Holograph document, signed by Weitzel. Statement of amount due to physician John Weitzel for attendance and medicine to two wounded men at prison district 96 in South Carolina.
ALS from John Morgan, on the court-martial of William Shippen, and from Hugh Williamson, relating to family matters. Papers include a draft of a bill, An act to regulate the medical establishment, and a holograph copy of a poem sent to the editor of the Morning Chronicle, on the occasion of the death of John B. Caldwell, McHenry's brother-in-law.
Holograph documents, signed. Promissary notes, some of which are also signed by Joseph Elliot, and a bill of sale of land. Two typed biographical notes.
ALS. Writes of Georg Christoph Lichtenberg, who ridiculed Lavater's science of physiognomy, and refuses to arbitrate a dispute between three other physiognomists, Schmohl, Simon and Schweighauser.
U.S. physician; pioneer of vaccination in the U.S. Collection chiefly consists of photostatic copies of correspondence written to Waterhouse, and brings together material from various U. S. collections. Includes some original letters acquired by Duke University. The bulk of the material, correspondence and minutes of meetings of the Corporation of Harvard College, relates to vaccination and Waterhouse's removal from his Harvard professorship. Correspondents include: J. Warren, J.C. Warren, J. Jackson, J. Gorham, W. Jenks, J.R. Coxe, B. Lincoln, S. Williams, J. Sullivan, B. Silliman, J. Redman, W. Cogswell, J. Lathrop, J. Monroe, J. T. Kirkland, H. Dearborn, H.A.S. Dearborn, J. Tilton, J. Winthrop, T. Jefferson, D. Webster, J. Sparks, L. Cass, and R. Elton. Collection also includes photostatic copy of Waterhouse's 1794 journal describing a trip to Saratoga Springs. Forms part of the Trent Manuscripts Collection and was acquired as part of the History of Medicine Collections at Duke University.
Collection chiefly consists of photostatic copies of correspondence written by and to Benjamin Waterhouse, and brings together material from various U. S. collections. The copies seem to have been made in the 1940s. Includes some original letters acquired by Duke University. The bulk of the material, correspondence by and to Waterhouse, and minutes of meetings of the Corporation of Harvard College, relates to vaccination and other medical practice, and Waterhouse's removal from his Harvard professorship. Correspondents include: John Warren, J.C. Warren, James Jackson, John Gorham, William Jenks, John Redman Coxe, Benjamin Lincoln, Samuel Williams, James Sullivan, Benjamin Silliman, John Redman, William Cogswell, John Lathrop, James Monroe, J. T. Kirkland, Henry Dearborn, Henry Alexander Scammell Dearborn, James Winthrop, Thomas Jefferson, Daniel Webster, Jared Sparks, Lewis Cass, and Romeo Elton. Collection also includes photostatic copy of Waterhouse's 1794 journal describing a trip to Saratoga Springs. Materials arranged chronologically.
Transcriptions of some of the original correspondence are present. Forms part of the Trent Manuscripts Collection and was acquired as part of the History of Medicine Collections at Duke University.
Letters (ALS) to Thomas Cadell, Sr. (1742-1802), Thomas, Jr., and William Davies (d. 1820), publishers and booksellers, from James Makittrick Adair, regarding his essay on regimen; from John Aikin; from George Armstrong, regarding his Essay on the diseases most fatal to infants; from Alexander Peter Buchan, regarding a book on sea-bathing; from Thomas Cogan, regarding his Theological disquisitions; from Quintin Craufurd; from James Currie; from William Hey, regarding his Practical observations in surgery, and from Benjamin Rumford, regarding the second edition of his Seventh essay. A letter written by William Buchan was removed from this collection and placed with the William Buchan collection.
Holograph receipt, signed, for forage. ALS relating to Cochran's orders to Dr. John Warren. Cochran explains that he was unaware that his orders conflicted with those issued by the addressee. A reprint of an article by T. Wood Clarke from the New York State Journal of Medicine gives biographical information.
A copy, in an unknown hand, of a letter from Rush to Bayard regarding sentiments expressed in an earlier letter to General John Armstrong. The letter reflects post-revolutionary state politics in Pennsylvania. In the letter, Rush censures his fellow Presbyterians, who refuse to revoke the test laws and to admit amendments to the state constitution. He also condemns the taking over by the Presbyterian dominated state government of the charter of the College of Philadelphia, now the University of Pennsylvania, and refers to the College of Carlisle, or Dickinson College, established in protest to the first action. He regrets the inflammatory remarks and publications made by members of the state's single legislative body, the Council of Censors, and by Joseph Reed and Mr. Smiley, and deplores the character of Henry Osborn and Owen Faris.
7 letters (ALS). Letter from Bartlett to the engraver Joseph Callender. Letters to Bartlett from his brother, Dr. Josiah Bartlett, and from Drs. Thomas Kittridge and Amos Gale. Letters from J. Bartlett and Gale relate to the cowpox virus and Benjamin Waterhouse's efforts to regulate its use.
Autograph document, signed. A deposition presented to a grand jury, in which Lawrence accuses his servant, Peter Tom, of theft of opium and other patent medicines, and a Dr. Heerman of selling the stolen goods.
Letter (ALS). Typescript of French original and typed English translation are available. Discusses the petrified fossils of Montmartre, Maestricht, and Euhstedt and the cetaceans at M. de Buffon's in Paris. Expresses disappointment at being unable to see Goethe, touching on the troubled internal political affairs of the Netherlands. Announces intention to make a short trip to Germany in the spring in order to visit Merck and Soemmerring.
ALS from Lettsom to Miss Warren briefly mentions Thomas Joseph Pettigrew. 4 ALS to Lettsom from various correspondents, B. Wilmer, L. Maclean, J. Murphy and W. May, relate to the Medical Society of London. A transcription, in an anonymous hand, of abolitionist verse by Lettsom is followed by a description of the setting of the gathering at which the verses were presented. On the verso of this is an autograph note, signed by Benjamin Wilson, 1801.
Four documents. Receipt of payment by the estate of Robert C. Livingston to Samuel Bard; license to practice medicine, issued to Dr. Larry G. Hall, November 1811, by the Medical Society of Dutchess County, New York, and signed by Samuel Bard, President; two blank certificates (in Latin) of membership in the New York Medical Society, dated (stamped) 1789, and signed by John Bard (1716-1799), Samuel Bard's father.
Four documents. Receipt of payment by the estate of Robert C. Livingston to Samuel Bard; license to practice medicine, issued to Dr. Larry G. Hall, November 1811, by the Medical Society of Dutchess County, New York, signed by Samuel Bard, President; two blank certificates (in Latin) of membership in the New York Medical Society, dated (stamped) 1789, and signed by John Bard (1716-1799), Samuel Bard's father.
Ledger of sums owed to Fiveroke by Christian Forny for various medical supplies and services. The account is witnessed and signed by Jacob Young, a Justice of the Peace for Frederick County, November 20, 1793.
In his letter to Mason Fitch Cogswell, Post writes of the controversy among New York medical professionals over the establishment of a dispensary and a college of surgeons; refers to an attack upon William Dunlap; and comments upon Cogswell's ambitions to write an anatomy. A portrait of Post is attached.
Holograph document, signed. Receipt of payment by M. Panckoucke, probably Charles Joseph Panckoucke (1736-1798), for work on the Dictionnarie de chirurgie. ALS to Nicolas Dubois de Chemant, regarding personal financial and professional matters. Dubois de Chemant's wife adds a postscript.
Papers are in German and in French. Michel-Augustin Thouret acknowledges receipt of a box of medical instruments. Other material relates to Ehrmann in his capacity as military physician. An autograph certificate, signed by Ehrmann, protests the treatment of the French dead, citing his own futile efforts to obtain a death certificate for a French grenadier. This document was promptly returned, accompanied by a note from his supervisor informing him that it could not be submitted to the minister in its present form.
ALS. Letters to surgeon Valentine Mott, horticulturalist William Robert Prince, to auditor and naturalist William Lee relate to natural history. Papers also include verses from Le Brun dedicated to Mitchill by Francesca Pascalis and a letter to her from her father Felix Pascalis Ouviere. Mitchill also receives a letter of introduction from Roberts Vaux. In 1928 Mary Mayes writes Dr. Braislin regarding the sale of Mitchill papers in her possession.
