Jesse Harrison Epperson papers, 1915-1959

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:
Epperson, J. H. (Jesse Harrison), 1889-1958
Abstract:
Dr. J.H. Epperson (1889-1958) was a resident of Durham, N.C. and director of the Durham County Public Health Department. Collection comprises correspondence, clippings, and photographs relating to his life and career. Subjects in the many photocopied news clippings center around Durham public health and sanitation history in the early 20th century, including efforts to combat communicable diseases such as tuberculosis and venereal disease in both white and African American populations. Includes 19 black-and-white photographs, mostly local news photographs, among which are 1920s views of downtown Durham, N.C.; interiors of the new Health Department laboratory in 1915; portraits of nurses and other staff, several of whom are people of color; and a 1920s group photograph of twenty local midwives, chiefly African American or multiracial women.
Extent:
0.25 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language:
English
Collection ID:
RL.11883

Background

Scope and content:

Collection comprises correspondence, clippings, and photographs relating to the life and career of Dr. J. H. Epperson, from his appointment in 1915 to the newly-formed Durham, N.C. Department of Health to his death in 1958. Subjects in the many photocopied news clippings (1915-1958) center around Durham public health and sanitation history, including efforts by Epperson and his staff to establish regulations for the safe production of milk, and to combat typhus, polio, tuberculosis, venereal disease, and other infectious diseases among both white and African American populations in early 20th century Durham City and County.

The correspondence chiefly consists of a few congratulatory exchanges between Epperson and Wilburt C. Davidson, Dean of the Duke University Medical School, where Epperson held a teaching position, and condolence letters to Epperson's widow. There is also one personal letter written by Epperson to his daughter and son-in-law.

Also in the collection are 19 black-and-white photographs (1915-1958), chiefly 8x10 inch Durham Herald-Sun press photographs, whose subjects include early views of Durham, N.C., 1920s; interiors of the new Health Department laboratory in 1915 with Epperson and staff; portraits of Epperson in his offices and at meetings; nurses and other staff, several of whom are people of color; and meeting and conference attendees, including a group attending a conference on preventing venereal disease. A nursing staff member who appears in several photographs with Epperson is an Elizabeth O'Kelly. Of note is a large 1920s group photograph of twenty local midwives, chiefly African American or multiracial, standing with Epperson and several staff on a flight of steps outside the Durham County Courthouse, where the Health Department was located.

Biographical / historical:

Dr. J. H. (Jesse Harrison) Epperson was born in Kentucky in 1889. He received his medical degree from Oklahoma A&M in 1914 and joined the Durham City Department of Health in June 1915. In 1922 he was appointed Superintendent of the Board of Health, which oversaw the new joint City-County Public Health Department. He also taught Public Health for many years at UNC-North Carolina and at Duke University's School of Medicine. Epperson retired in 1954 after 36 years of service; he passed away in July 1958.

During Epperson's administration the Durham Health Department grew from three employees to over fifty, and he led major county-wide campaigns against early 20th century infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, typhus, polio, and venereal disease; he also instituted sanitation practices for local milk production.

Acquisition information:
The Jesse Harrison Epperson papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a gift from 1958-2002.
Processing information:

Processed and described by Paula Jeannet, February 2021.

Accession(s) represented in this collection guide: 1958, 2001-0162, 2002-0279.

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:

Preferred Citation: [Identification of item], Jesse Harrison Epperson papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University

Permalink:
https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m11f1f