Call Number:

C0358

Repository:

Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division

Extent:

• 9 boxes
• 9 linear feet

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Alfred A. Woodhull Collection, Box and Folder Number; Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Date:

1776-1916 (inclusive)

Creator:

Princeton University. Library. Special Collections and Woodhull, Alfred A. (Alfred Alexander), 1837-1921

Form:

Correspondence., Lectures., Manuscripts., Photographs., and Scrapbooks

Abstract:

Consists of works, correspondence, genealogical information, photographs, miscellaneous material, and printed works of surgeon and medical inspector Alfred A. Woodhull (Princeton Class of 1856).

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.