Mary Edwards Walker papers, 1866-1898

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Summary

Creator:
Walker, Mary Edwards, 1832-1919, History of Medicine Collection (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library), Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture, and Trent, Josiah C. (Josiah Charles), 1914-1948
Abstract:
Mary Edwards Walker (1832-1919) was a suffragist and the first female surgeon to serve in the U.S. Army. Collection consists of an albumen photo portrait of Walker and two letters written by her. One letter discusses her advocacy efforts for women's voting rights, and the other expresses her desire to build a hospital, home, and school for tuberculosis patients. Acquired as part of the History of Medicine Collection.
Extent:
3 items
Language:
Materials in English.
Collection ID:
RL.10950

Background

Scope and content:

Collection consists of an albumen photo portrait of Walker taken in Manchester, England, in 1866 and two letters. One letter, dated 1885 February 27, is to Daniel P. Farrington, and Walker briefly discusses her activities to advocate for women's voting rights. The other letter, dated 1898 March 15, is written to Ralph Greenbaum, and Walker expresses her desire to build a hospital, home, and school for tuberculosis patients on her estate in New York.

Biographical / historical:

Mary Edwards Walker (1832-1919) was a suffragist and the first female surgeon to serve in the U.S. Army. During the Civil War she served as a surgeon for the Union Army but treated patients on both sides of the war. Walker received a Medal of Honor for her service during the war. After the Civil War she support the women's suffrage movement until her death in 1919.

Acquisition information:
The Mary Edwards Walker Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a transfer from the Duke Medical Center Library in 2011 and as a purchase from Douglas Stewart Fine Books in 2025.
Processing information:

Processed by: Rubenstein Staff

Finding aid derived from MARC record using DukeMARC2EAD-HOMproject.xsl, December 2014

Updated by Leah Tams, July 2025.

Accessions described in this collection guide: 2011-0962, 2025-0073.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
General note:

Forms part of the Trent Manuscripts Collection.

Subjects

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Subjects:
Suffragists
Tuberculosis -- Patients
Women surgeons -- United States
Women -- Suffrage -- United States
Format:
Albumen prints
Names:
History of Medicine Collection (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library)
Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture
Walker, Mary Edwards, 1832-1919

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.

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Preferred citation:

[Identifcation of item], Mary Edwards Walker Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Permalink:
https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m1z69f