Call Number:

Ms. Codex 1734

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

0.08 linear feet (2 volumes)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Edwin T. Darby Dental Society records, 1912-1935, Ms. Codex 1734, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

1912-1935 (inclusive)

Creator:

University of Pennsylvania. Edwin T. Darby Dental Society

Form:

Membership lists, Constitutions, and Minutes (administrative records)

Abstract:

This collection contains the constitution and bylaws, meetings notes, and members' lists of the Edwin T. Darby Dental Society of the University of Pennsylvania from 1912 to 1923 in the first volume and 1924 to 1935 in the second volume. It is named after Dr. Edwin T. Darby, one of the founding members of the University of Pennsylvania Dental School.

The Edwin T. Darby Dental Society of the University of Pennsylvania was founded during the 1895/1896 academic year in order to "derive mutual benefit and knowledge in the study of the profession of dentistry, to foster the spirit for individual investigation and research, and to promote social intercourse and good fellowship," (Constitution, Article II). Often refered to as the Darby Dental Society, this group met every two weeks and was was a student-run society. There is significant cross over between this society and the Xi Psi Phi, Delta Sigma Delta, and Psi Omega fraternities. The society's meetings were held in one of the three associated fraternity houses or in Houston Hall of the University of Pennsylvania.

This society is named after Dr. Edwin T. Darby (1845-1929), a founding member of the University of Pennsylvania Dental School and the chair of Operative Dentistry from 1878 to 1919.

This collection contains two volumes from the Edwin J. Darby Dental Society of the University of Pennsylvania. The first volume of this collection begins with the constitution and bylaws of the society and concludes with the meetings notes and members' lists from 1912 to 1923. The second volume of this collection contains members' lists from 1924 to 1935, as well as meetings notes and membership roll from the corresponding years.

The minutes are fairly straightforward and describe generally the activities of each meeting (such as roll call, reading and approving of the previous meeting's minutes, discussion of finances, potential new members, and adjournment), but of particular interest may be the mention of members and the topics of papers they read before the Society. It appears that on occassion, a professor or practicing dentist would give a lecture to the group. Depending upon the secretary at the time, minutes vary in content and descriptive quality.