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George Bacon Wood papers

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Held at: Historical Medical Library of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia [Contact Us]19 S. 22nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Historical Medical Library of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.

Overview and metadata sections

George Bacon Wood was born in Greenwich, New Jersey, on 12 March 1797; he was the son of Richard and Elizabeth Bacon Wood. George B. Wood married Caroline Hahn (d. 1867) on 2 April 1823. Wood died in Philadelphia on 30 March 1879.

In 1815, George B. Wood received his A.B. from the University of Pennsylvania. He then studied medicine under Joseph Parrish and attended courses at the University of Pennsylvania. He received his A.M. and M.D. from the University in 1818. Wood's thesis was on dyspepsia. After his graduation, Wood lectured on Materia Medica at Joseph Parrish's Association for Medical Instruction.

George B. Wood was one of the founders of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in 1821. He was Professor of Chemistry at the College (1822-1831), then Professor of Materia Medica and Pharmacy (1831-1835). Wood resigned from the College in 1835, to become Professor of Materia Medica and Pharmacy at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1850, he became Professor of the Theory and Practice of Medicine at the University and held that position until his retirement in 1860. Wood was Attending Physician at Pennsylvania Hospital (1835-1859) and President of the Board of Managers (1874-1879). From 1850-1860, Wood was also Chairman of the Committee on the Revision of the United States Pharmacopoeia. In 1865, he helped to organize the Auxiliary Faculty of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

Wood wrote several books, including The Dispensatory of the United States (1833), The History of the University of Pennsylvania (1834), A Treatise on the Practice of Medicine (1847), and A Treatise on Therapeutics and Pharmacology, or, Materia Medica (1856).

George B. Wood became a Fellow of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia in 1827 and was President from 1848 to 1879. Wood was also President of the American Philosophical Society (1859-1879) and the American Medical Association (1855-1856).

The George Bacon Wood Papers collection documents George Bacon Wood's professional and personal life from 1813 to 1870. Materials located in the collection include correspondence, manuscript drafts, lecture notes, financial material, and some graphic material. The collection contains six series arranged by their relative size: "Correspondence," "Writings," "Professional Affiliations," "Teaching Material," "Graphic Material and Ephemera," and "Financial Material." Researchers interested in the life of George Bacon Wood, or of early- nineteenth century medical practice will find documents of significance in these papers.

The "Correspondence" series contains three subseries arranged by their relative size to the series. The three subseries appear as follows: "Professional," "Family," and "Dr. Franklin Bache." The series dates from 1793 to 1880, with the bulk of letters dating from 1813 to 1870. Some correspondence is located in other series, however that material was not separated in order to retain context.

The "Professional" subseries contains correspondence between George Bacon Wood and professional colleagues regarding medical and pharmaceutical topics, the American Philosophical Society, the slave trade, and Civil War among other topics. Most letters in the subseries were sent to George Bacon Wood, though some folders include letters sent by him. Individuals corresponded with include Dr. D. Hayes Agnew, Dr. P.P. Broca, Dr. Joseph Carson, Dr. Robert Christison, Edward Hartshorne, Isaac Hays, Dr. Thomas Hodgkin, W. E. Horner, Dr. Thomas S. Kirkbride, Joseph Leidy, C. D. Meigs, Dr. S. Weir Mitchell, John H. Packard, Dr. Joseph Parrish, William Pepper, Dr. R. E. Rogers, Francis G. Smith, Alfred Stille, W. H. Van Buren, and Caspar Wistar among others. The folders are arranged alphabetically by correspondent's last name. The subseries dates from 1793 to 1880, with the bulk of letters dating from 1842 to 1870.

The "Family" subseries contains correspondence between George Bacon Wood and members of his family. Each folder is labeled with the family member's relation to George Bacon Wood. The subseries is arranged alphabetically by sender, with George Bacon Wood appearing first. Dates from the subseries range from 1810 to 1877, with the bulk of letters dating from 1813 to 1870.

The "Dr. Franklin Bache" subseries contains correspondence between George Bacon Wood and Dr. Franklin Bache from 1838 to 1862. Wood and Bache collaborated on medical research together, and jointly wrote the book Dispensatory of the United States published in 1833. The folders are arranged first by George Bacon Wood letters sent to Franklin Bache, and then Franklin Bache to George Bacon Wood.

The "Writings" series contains three subseries arranged alphabetically: "Materia Medica," "Memoirs," and "Pharmacopoeia of the United States." The series dates from 1841 to 1866, with several undated folders.

The "Materia Medica" subseries contains a single folder holding a manuscript titled, "History of Materia Medica." This was written by Wood in 1855.

The "Memoirs" subseries contains writings by George Bacon Wood and others dedicated to the memory of people known to Wood. In 1865, Wood wrote a memoir to his close-colleague Dr. Franklin Bache, which is included in this subseries along with Wood's notes relating to that piece. Wood also wrote a memoir and account dedicated to Dr. Joseph Parrish, located in the subseries. The folders are arranged alphabetically by memoir subject.

The "Pharmacopoeia of the United States" subseries contains drafts and correspondence related to George Bacon Wood's contributions to the Pharmacopoeia of the United States. Included in the subseries are the "Introduction" and "Preface" to the Pharmacopoeia, as well as draft revisions to the work. The folders are arranged alphabetically and date from 1831 to 1850.

The "Professional Affiliations" series contains documents relating to George Bacon Wood's several institutional affiliations, including the American Philosophical Society, the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, Girard College, the Schuylkill River Navigation Company, and the University of Pennsylvania. Materials related to the College of Physicians of Philadelphia include correspondence sent to other College fellows regarding the state of affairs at the institution, as well as a draft of the deed to the Mutter Museum. Materials related to the University of Pennsylvania include George Bacon Wood's correspondence with the university Board of Trustees and others associated with the university. It also includes testimonies and statements supporting certain physicians for posts to the University of Pennsylvania faculty. The folders are arranged alphabetically by institution name. The series dates from 1824 to 1873.

The "Teaching Material" series contains lectures, notes, and student information from George Bacon Wood's teaching career. The lectures cover a range of topics including anatomy, diaretics, and medical tree barks among others. Also of note in the series are two valedictory speeches given by George Bacon Wood to graduating classes. The folders are arranged alphabetically by document type, and date from 1824-1843, with several undated folders.

The "Graphic Material and Ephemera" series contains photographs, prints, news clippings on contemporary European affairs, and other ephemeral items. Of note in the series is a print portrait of George Bacon Wood. The folders are arranged by document type, and date from 1850, 1861-1862, 1921, and undated.

The "Financial Materials" series contains an account book, a bills ledger, and a copy of Dr. David C. Wood's estate. All of these items belonged to George Bacon Wood. The series is arranged alphabetically by document type and dates from 1849 to 1860, and undated.

Publisher
Historical Medical Library of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia
Finding Aid Author
Finding aid prepared by Forrest Wright

Collection Inventory

Dr. Hayes Agnew, William B. Atkinson, Edward Ballard, Barring Brothers and Company, J. A. Bell, F.W. De Berards, Dr. Thomas Bettou, Cadwalder Biddle, James Biddle, Jacob Bigelow, Mr. and Mrs. Bille, F. A. Bossard, Dr. Rinaldo Brehm, Dr. P. P. Broca, Broval, C. E. Browne-Legard, Charles Buckingham, 1848, 1858-1869, undated.
Box 1 Folder 1
American Medical Association to the Senate and House of Representatives regarding international copyright, 1850 May 1.
Box 1 Folder 2
George Burges, Rich Butcher, unidentified "B", Dr. Joseph Carson, Charles Chandler, Dr. Robert Christison, C. M. Clay, Joshua Cohen, Cole, Dr. Cook, Dr. Jan Coward, W. Craft, Mrs. Cushman, L. A. "C", R. D. Darbishire, 1842, 1848, 1850-1862, 1867, undated.
Box 1 Folder 3
John Dawson, S. Henry Dickson, R. Dinglison, Augustine Duhamel, Isaac Dyden, Victor Ehrmann, Horace Y. Evans, L. C. Farish, N. Fausbole, Ferger, Henry W. Field, C. H. Fisher, Sidney Fisher, unidentified "F", Dr. Gairdner, Garrod, W. W. Gerhard, George D. Gibb, Samuel George Givner, Dr. Griffith, 1844-1862, 1880, undated.
Box 1 Folder 4
French cultural societies invitations, undated.
Box 1 Folder 5
J. Frison, Charles Meigs, Samuel Morton, and Dr. Joseph Parrish to others introducing George Bacon Wood, 1848.
Box 1 Folder 6
Henry J. Haberacker, Robert P. Harris, Edward Hartshorne, Isaac Hayes, Dr. Albert Heyl, Dr. Thomas Hodgkin, W. E. Horner, F. Horner Jr., Dr. J. Hostetler, H. H. Howard, Thomas Humble, George Irving, Dr. S. Jackson, Dr. Thomas Kirkbride, R. LaRochel, Dr. Lebert, Joseph Leidy, J. P. Lesley, J. G. Levick, 1845-1862, 1872, undated.
Box 1 Folder 7
Alexander Louis, J. B. Lippincott, D. Litelfields, S. Littell, unidentified "L", Dr. Marsden, Edward R. Mayer, Phillip H. Mayer, A. McEven, A. L. McRae, C. D. Meigs, S. A. Mendelson, W. Allen Miller, Miller, H. Minchin, Dr. S. Weir Mitchell, George H. Moore, William Moore, Caspar Morris, J. B. Nevins, 1857-1872, undated.
Box 1 Folder 8
Dr. George Norris, Richard A. O'Brien, O'Neil, Dr. Jonathan Osborn, John H. Packard, Parisian Medical Society, Dr. Joseph Parrish, George Peigne, William Pepper, Jon Pereira, Mrs. Pereira, G. W. Phillips, Alonzo Potter, G. Prapter, W. Preston, William Proctor, Gerald Ralson, 1847-1866.
Box 1 Folder 9
John H. Packard to George Bacon Wood regarding travel, undated.
Box 1 Folder 10
Reverend J. M. Raird, Randolph, Henry Reed, William B. Reed, John Reese, William Richey, Dr. R. E. Rogers, James E. Rhoads, Dr. F. M. Sargent, George W. Sheppard, Lydia A. Sheppard, Edward Shippen, Professor Sigmunnd, A. Signori, L. Simonin, A. H. Smith, Francis G. Smith Jr., Henry H. Smith, 1843-1870.
Box 1 Folder 11
J. J. Smith, Lloyd Smith, Robert Smith, H. Sprague, Alfred Stille, A. Owen Stille, unidentified "Dr. S.", W. H. Taggart, Taylor, Dr. H. Thompson, N. Tribner, Pennington Tucker, Henry Turner, William Turner, United States Army General Hospital, University of Edinburgh, University of Pennsylvania, 1848-1866, 1872, undated.
Box 1 Folder 12
Joseph Towne and H. B. Tuson regarding anatomical specimens, 1851-1856.
Box 1 Folder 13
Dr. Valeri, W. H. Van Buren, Pierre Velases, James Walker, G. Wallace, Dr. S. J. Wheeler, W. Lehman Wells, Dr. Charles Wilson, C. S. Wishart, Caspar Wister, H. Fletcher Zollichoffer, 1848-1863.
Box 1 Folder 14
Unidentified signatures, 1793, 1810, 1818, 1831-1838, 1844.
Box 1 Folder 15
Unidentified signatures, 1853-1870.
Box 1 Folder 16
Unidentified signatures, undated.
Box 1 Folder 17
George Bacon Wood to George Bacon (uncle of George Bacon Wood), 1810-1812.
Box 1 Folder 18
George Bacon Wood to Peter Hahn (father in-law of George Bacon Wood), 1826-1834.
Box 1 Folder 19
George Bacon Wood to Caroline Wood (wife of George Bacon Wood), 1826 April 23.
Box 1 Folder 20
George Bacon Wood to Elizabeth Bacon Wood, 1813-1826.
Box 2 Folder 1
George Bacon Wood to Juliana R. Woods (Sister in-law by Richard D. Wood), 1860-1862, 1869, 1877.
Box 2 Folder 2
George Bacon Wood to Richard Wood (father of George Bacon Wood), 1813-1820.
Box 2 Folder 3
George Bacon Wood to Richard D. Wood (Brother), 1820-1823, 1858, 1861-1862.
Box 2 Folder 4
George Bacon (uncle of George Bacon Wood) to George Bacon Wood, 1848 February 3.
Box 2 Folder 5
Ann Lehman Wells and Elizabeth D. Wells (cousins in-law to George Bacon Wood) to Miss Caroline Wood (daughter of Richard D. Wood), 1858.
Box 2 Folder 6
Abigail Wood (sister in-law, second wife of Horatio C. Wood) to George Bacon Wood, 1861-1862.
Box 2 Folder 7
Ann Elizabeth Wood (sister of George Bacon Wood) to Caroline Wood (wife of George Bacon Wood), 1823-1858.
Box 2 Folder 8
Ann E. Wood (sister of George Bacon Wood) to George Bacon Wood, 1820-1824.
Box 2 Folder 9
Caroline Wood (wife of George Bacon Wood) to George Bacon Wood, 1861 September 4.
Box 2 Folder 10
Charles S. Wood (brother of George Bacon Wood) to George Bacon Wood, 1848, 1861-1862.
Box 2 Folder 11
E. H. Wood (Niece of George Bacon Wood, daughter of Horatio Wood) to George Bacon Wood, 1861.
Box 2 Folder 12
Edward R. Wood (nephew of George Bacon Wood, son of Richard D. Wood) to George Bacon Wood, 1861-1862.
Box 2 Folder 13
Elizabeth B. Wood (mother of George Bacon Wood) to Caroline H. Wood (wife of George Bacon Wood), 1824.
Box 2 Folder 14
Elizabeth Bacon Wood (mother of George Bacon Wood) to George Bacon Wood, 1820-1825.
Box 2 Folder 15
Edward Wood (nephew of George Bacon Wood, son of Richard D. Wood) to Juliana Wood (Edward Wood's mother), 1861 January 12.
Box 2 Folder 16
Garrie B. Wood (niece of George Bacon Wood, daughter of Horatio Wood) to George Bacon Wood, 1862 June 23.
Box 2 Folder 17
Hannah D. Wood (sister of George Bacon Wood) to George Bacon Wood, 1861-1862.
Box 2 Folder 18
Horatio C. Wood (brother of George Bacon Wood) to George Bacon Wood, 1824-1844, 1860-1862.
Box 2 Folder 19
Horatio C. Wood (nephew of George Bacon Wood, son of Horatio C. Wood) to George Bacon Wood, 1861-1862.
Box 2 Folder 20
Juliana Wood (sister in-law of George Bacon Wood, wife of Charles S. Wood) to George Bacon Wood, 1861-1862.
Box 2 Folder 21
Juliana R. Wood (sister in-law, wife of Richard D. Wood) to George Bacon Wood, 1861-1862.
Box 2 Folder 22
Nannie Wood (niece of George Bacon Wood, daughter of Charles S. Wood) to George Bacon Wood, 1861 July 7.
Box 2 Folder 24
Richard Wood (nephew of George Bacon Wood, son of Richard D. Wood) to George Bacon Wood, 1861-1862.
Box 3 Folder 1
Richard D. Wood (brother of George Bacon Wood) to George Bacon Wood, 1860-1862.
Box 3 Folder 2
Stuart Wood (nephew of George Bacon Wood, son of Richard D. Wood) to George Bacon Wood, 1862 March 28.
Box 3 Folder 3
George Bacon Wood to Dr. Franklin Bache, 1836-1860.
Box 3 Folder 4
George Bacon Wood to Dr. Franklin Bache, 1861-1863.
Box 3 Folder 5
Dr. Franklin Bache to George Bacon Wood, 1839, 1842, 1861-1862.
Box 3 Folder 6

"History of Materia Medica" manuscript, 1855.
Box 3 Folder 7
Dr. Franklin Bache: Biographical sketches of Franklin Bache in booklet, by George Bacon Wood, undated.
Box 3 Folder 8
Dr. Franklin Bache: Correspondence of Bache family to George Bacon Wood regarding Dr. Franklin Bache's life, and Bache family tree, 1864.
Box 3 Folder 9
Dr. Franklin Bache: Original Draft of Franklin Bache memoir, per request of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, by George Bacon Wood, 1865 May 5.
Box 3 Folder 10
Dr. Franklin Bache: Original Draft of Franklin Bache memoir, per request of the American Philosophical Society, by George Bacon Wood, 1865.
Box 3 Folder 11
Dr. Joseph Parrish: "Account of the Late Dr. Parrish" by George Bacon Wood, undated.
Box 3 Folder 12
Dr. Joseph Parrish: "Memoir of Dr. Joseph Parrish," presented to the College of Physicians of Philadelphia by George Bacon Wood, 1841 May 4.
Box 3 Folder 13
Dr. Joseph Parrish: Professional and Social Aspects of the Life of Dr. Parrish, notes by George Bacon Wood, undated.
Box 3 Folder 14
Poems written to George Bacon Wood, and in remembrance of Thomas Hodgkin, 1847, 1866.
Box 3 Folder 15
"Introduction to Pharmacology," and "Preface to Second Edition" by George Bacon Wood, 1833.
Box 3 Folder 16
Correspondence documenting confirmations of reception of copies, 1842-1850.
Box 3 Folder 17
Correspondence of George Bacon Wood to Dr. Bigelow, circa 1831.
Box 3 Folder 18
Revisions made by committees and individuals, sent to George Bacon Wood and Franklin Bache, 1840 January-1842 March.
Box 3 Folder 19-20
Drafts, "Historical Introduction," "Preface," and "Preparations," by George Bacon Wood, 1831.
Box 4 Folder 1
Draft revisions, 1839.
Box 4 Folder 2

American Philosophical Society: Office election announcement, George Bacon Wood as President, 1858.
Box 4 Folder 3
College of Physicians of Philadelphia: Correspondence, George Bacon Wood to Isaac Hays regarding state of College's library, 1866 March 27.
Box 4 Folder 4
College of Physicians of Philadelphia: Deed of the Mutter Museum, and letters of Dr. Thomas Mutter, George Bacon Wood, Dr. Franklin Bache, Dr. S. Weir Mitchell, Dr. Edward Hartshorne, and Wharton, concerning the opening of the Mutter Museum, 1856, undated.
Box 4 Folder 5
College of Physicians of Philadelphia: Invitations by George Bacon Wood on behalf of the College of Physicians, 1849, undated.
Box 4 Folder 6
College of Physicians of Philadelphia: Report and comments on the College of Physicians by Dr. Betton, 1846, undated.
Box 4 Folder 7
College of Physicians of Philadelphia: "Statement concerning the Sanity of John Zimmerman," by Dr. Joseph Parrish made to the College of Physicians on December 7, 1824, 1824 December 7.
Box 4 Folder 8
Girard College: Documents explaining the purpose of Girard College, addressed to the "Citizens of Philadelphia," and "Editor", 1832-1848.
Box 4 Folder 9
Schuylkill Navigation Company: Address given by George Bacon Wood, undated.
Box 4 Folder 10
University of Pennsylvania: Correspondence, George Bacon Wood to Board of Trustees regarding Chair of Professor of Medicine, 1835 May 10.
Box 4 Folder 11
University of Pennsylvania: Correspondence, George Bacon Wood to others regarding University of Pennsylvania Hospital, 1837 January-1837 February.
Box 4 Folder 12
University of Pennsylvania: Correspondence, Samuel George Morton and William Rush to George Bacon Wood regarding University of Pennsylvania Hospital, 1837 January-1838 February.
Box 4 Folder 13
University of Pennsylvania: Correspondence, R. E. Rogers (Dean of Medical Faculty) to Board of Trustees, circa 1873.
Box 4 Folder 14
University of Pennsylvania: Minutes of physicians and surgeons at University of Pennsylvania Hospital, 1845-1846.
Box 4 Folder 15
University of Pennsylvania: Notices from minutes of Board of Trustees 1719-1822, report to the faculty, 1836 June-1838 December.
Box 4 Folder 16
University of Pennsylvania: Testimonials to Professor Alfred Kennedy to Board of Trustees, 1852.
Box 4 Folder 17
University of Pennsylvania: Testimony to Dr. Norris for Chemistry Professorship to Board of Trustees, 1847 May 10.
Box 4 Folder 18

Lecture: Anatomy, "number 47", undated.
Box 4 Folder 19
Lecture: Cathartics, undated.
Box 4 Folder 20
Lecture: Diaretics, undated.
Box 4 Folder 21-22
Lecture: Galea, undated.
Box 4 Folder 23
Lecture: Inquiries with Regard to the Functions of Pneumogastric Nerves, 1824.
Box 4 Folder 24
Lecture: Medical Tree Barks, undated.
Box 4 Folder 25
Lecture: Metals, "number 46": Zinc, Bismuth, Cobalt, Manganese, Arsenic, undated.
Box 4 Folder 26
Lecture: Natural History, focused on Botany-3 part lecture, undated.
Box 4 Folder 27
Notebook of George Bacon Wood on a variety of topics, 1841-1842.
Box 4 Folder 28
Student residency information, recorded by George Bacon Wood in notebooks, 1838-1843.
Box 4 Folder 29
Valedictory lectures to graduating class, two lectures, undated.
Box 5 Folder 1

Map of Italy, folded on backboard, 1861.
Box 5 Folder 2
News clippings regarding European affairs, some including annotations, 1850-1861.
Box 5 Folder 3
Photographs of "important persons" collected during Europe travels, 1862.
Box 5 Folder 4
Portrait prints of George Bacon Wood, John D. Godman, and John Grieg, presented by Juliana Wood in 1921, 1921.
Box 5 Folder 5
Railroad schedules, undated.
Box 5 Folder 6
Miscellaneous items, undated.

Account Book, 1860-1862.
Box 5 Folder 8
Bills ledger, 1849-1860.
Box 5 Folder 9
Estate of Dr. David C. Wood, undated.
Box 5 Folder 10

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