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Alfred A. Woodhull Collection

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Held at: Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division [Contact Us]

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division. 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

Woodhull, Alfred A. (Alfred Alexander), 1837-1921

A graduate from the University of Pennsylvania's medical dept. in 1859, Woodhull served in the Union army medical corps and was a surgeon and medical inspector during the Civil War. A sanitation expert, he remained in the army until retirement (1901) and authored a number of medical works.

The collection consists of works, correspondence, genealogical information, photographs, miscellaneous material, and printed works of Woodhull (Princeton Class of 1856). Included are his manuscripts of Studies, Chiefly Clinical, in the Non-Eemtic Use of Ipecacuanha (Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott and Co., 1876) and Notes on Military Hygiene for Officers of the Line (New York: J. Wiley and Sons, 1890), as well as many lectures, articles, addresses, and studies by him. The professional correspondence reflects Woodhull's interest in sanitary conditions within the military and contains many letters he wrote as a member of the surgeon general's staff after the Civil War and during his tour of duty as an instructor in military hygiene at the Infantry and Cavalry School, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas (1886-1890). The personal correspondence includes many letters between family members, especially between his parents, Anna Maria Salomon and Alfred Alexander Woodhull (Princeton Class of 1828). There are also papers belonging to Woodhull's ancestors, including John Woodhull (Princeton Class of 1766, later a Trustee, Woodhull's great-grandfather), George S. Woodhull (Princeton Class of 1790, later a Trustee, Woodhull's grandfather), William H. Woodhull (George's brother), and Henry W. B. Woodhull (Princeton Class of 1838, nephew of George and William).

Much of the collection includes material after Woodhull's retirement from the army when he returned to Princeton for five years (1902-1907) as a lecturer in personal hygiene and general sanitation. There are lectures, correspondence, and miscellaneous material during this period including papers relating to the Princeton Class of 1856 and to Clio Hall. Woodhull remained in Princeton after his retirement from the University, and during this period there are letters and miscellaneous material for The Battle of Princeton (1913), a tactical study of that engagement. In addition, there are photographs of Woodhull, Civil War scenes, and military hospitals; genealogical information of the Woodhull family; a scrapbook of newspaper clippings regarding sanitary condition within military facilities and two scrapbooks containing carbons of speeches and some correspondence; and printed pamphlets by Woodhull and others dealing with military hygiene.

This is an unprocessed collection and remains in its original arrangement.

The collection was formed as a result of a departmental practice of combining into one collection manuscript material of various accessions relating to a particular author.

This is an unprocessed collection. The contents list provided is a preliminary inventory.

The collection inventory was created by Michael Heist in August 2007.

Materials were foldered and rehoused by Brianna Cregle in 2022. Edits to archival description were made by Amy C. Vo in 2022.

No appraisal information is available.

Publisher
Manuscripts Division
Finding Aid Date
2007
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research use.

Use Restrictions

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Inquiries regarding publishing material from the collection should be directed to RBSC Public Services staff through the Ask Us! form. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.

Collection Inventory

Personal Correspondence, circa 1890-1910.
Surgeon General's Office Correspondence, circa 1890-1910.
Correspondence, circa 1900-1910.
Bound letters to Woodhull, with portions censored, 1898-1900.
Correspondence, miscellaneous, dates not examined.
Research on the Battle of Princeton, 1777.
Genealogy Correspondence, circa 1890-1910.
Congress of Hygiene Correspondence, circa 1890-1910.
Personal and official correspondence - military and state government, dates not examined. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Research notes and articles on hygiene, dates not examined.
MS report on hygiene by Woodhull, dates not examined.
MS Draft - Report on Military Hygiene, undated.
Photographs, dates not examined.
Letterbooks, dates not examined.
Writings, correspondence, circa 1897-1900.
Notes on genealogy, dates not examined.
Articles and printed memorabilia, Princeton Class of 1856 / Clio Hall, dates not examined.
Personal and Official Correspondence; Research Notes, Articles, and Reports on Military Hygiene, circa 1890-1910. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Print, Suggest