Percy E. Ryberg papers, 1906-1991

Using These Materials Teaser

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:
Portions of the collection are restricted. Portions of the Medical Research Materials are restricted for 100 years. Glass plate negatives are also closed to use; digital scans may be made. Contact...
More about accessing and using these materials...

Summary

Creator:
Ryberg, Percy E. (Percy Edward), 1908-2001
Abstract:
Collection primarily comprises New York psychiatrist Percy E. Ryberg's personal family correspondence (in particular with his wife, Barbara), diaries, and other personal papers, some of which speak to Ryberg's youth in Argentina. Professional correspondence, articles, and other items document his career and interests in sexual and mental health, substance abuse treatments, identity, spiritual and astrological aspects of medicine, and other topics, and the publication of his book, Health, Sex, and Birth Control. Also includes biographical and genealogical information; photographs and photograph albums; and glass plate negatives. Acquired by the History of Medicine Collections at Duke University.
Extent:
6 Linear Feet (11 boxes; 1 oversize folder)
Language:
English. Some materials in Spanish.
Collection ID:
RL.01127

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists primarily of psychiatrist Percy Ryberg's personal correspondence (in particular with his wife, Barbara), diaries, and other personal papers (1908-1991), some of which speak to his youth in Argentina. Ryberg's career as a physician and psychiatrist is represented through professional correspondence, writings, and medical research material. The material includes articles on the treatment of alcoholism in the mid-twentieth century, the publication of his book Health, Sex and Birth Control, and research on histamine reactions on the skin. Other topics that may be mentioned in the papers include mental health treatment, gender identity, schizophrenia, and spiritual and astrological aspects of medicine. There are also clippings and correspondence relating to the trial of William Koch (1940s), a U.S. physician who claimed to have developed a cure for cancer.

The collection also includes photographs (1906-1990s), mostly family snapshots and professional portraits of Ryberg, and photograph albums documenting Ryberg's travels and career. Glass plate negatives bear images of diplomas, and a military portrait of Ryberg from 1942.

Acquired as part of the History of Medicine Collections at Duke University.

Biographical / historical:

Percy Edward Ryberg (February 26, 1908-December 16, 2001) was a New York-based psychiatrist whose work focused on the treatment of alcoholism, mental health, gender identity, and sexual health. He was also interested in spiritual and astrological aspects of healing. He served as the president of the American Society of Addiction Medicine from 1965-1967. He was married to Barbara "Bobbie" Ryberg (January 18, 1912-October 1, 2003) of Baltimore, Maryland.

Acquisition information:
The Percy E. Ryberg papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a purchase in 2003.
Processing information:

Processed by Ann Langford

Completed April 15, 2003

Encoded by Elizabeth Arnold

Collection re-processed and finding aid updated by Katrina Martin, June 2015.

Description and authority heading revised and subject headings added, Paula Jeannet, April 2019.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:

Portions of the collection are restricted. Portions of the Medical Research Materials are restricted for 100 years. Glass plate negatives are also closed to use; digital scans may be made. Contact the History of Medicine curator for permission to use these materials at least four weeks in advance of your visit.

Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection.

All or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. The library may require up to 48 hours to retrieve these materials for research use.

Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.

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], Percy E. Ryberg papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.