Victor Bassett papers, 1888-1938 and undated

Using These Materials Teaser

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
More about accessing and using these materials...

Summary

Creator:
Bassett, Victor H.
Abstract:
Physician, health officer, and librarian of the Georgia Medical Society; from Savannah. Collection contains public health information, including correspondence, health and mortality records, biographical information, genealogies, reports, and printed matter relating to the medical history and practice of medicine in Savannah. Also includes manuscript drafts from naturalist Walter J. Hoxie.
Extent:
2.0 Linear Feet (3 boxes)
Language:
Material in English
Collection ID:
RL.00087

Background

Scope and content:

Public health information, including correspondence, health and mortality records, biographical information, genealogies, reports, and printed matter. Most of the material relates to Bassett's work in public health and medical professional education efforts for Savannah and Chatham County, Georgia. Some topics addressed are school health examinations, nurses and midwives training, vaccination efforts, and milk pasteurization and licensing. There is also a significant amount of material acquired and assembled by Bassett as part of his role as librarian and medical historian for the Georgia Medical Society, including his research about the history of the medical profession in Savannah and Georgia from the colonial period through the late nineteenth century. Collection includes photoduplicates of original manuscripts and artifacts held in other repositories as well as Bassett's notes and drafts of biographical sketches about prominent Georgia physicians and families. Collection also contains Bassett's extensive lecture notes and laboratory notebooks from his medical training at the University of Wisconsin and University of Pennsylvania. Subjects covered include bacteriology, chemistry, infectious diseases, obstetrics, and gynecology.

Also held in this collection is a series of drafts by author Walter J. Hoxie, a naturalist and Girl Scout pioneer who also wrote columns for the Savannah Morning News and was an apparent family friend of the Bassetts. Most of the drafts appear to be unpublished folk stories or family stories; there are also bird-watching lists.

Biographical / historical:

Excerpt from the Georgia Historical Society: "Dr. Victor Hugo Bassett was born on May 7, 1871, in Aledo, Illinois, son of Isaac Bassett. He received his medical training at the University of Wisconsin and Johns Hopkins University. Bassett came to Savannah, GA in 1908, as the city bacteriologist. In 1923, he became the City Health Officer, and County Health Officer in 1928. His research topics included diphtheria, typhoid fever, tetanus, and dysentery. He was also active in the Georgia Public Health Association, the American Public Health Association, and the Georgia Medical Society. Bassett died on November 3, 1938."

Acquisition information:
The Victor Bassett Papers were acquired by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library in 1952.
Processing information:

Processed by Meghan Lyon, 2016.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

Before you visit:
Please consult our up-to-date information for visitors page, as our services and guidelines periodically change.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Victor Bassett Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Permalink:
https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m1zc7d