From the birth of photography through the modern age, The Burns Archive with over one million historic photographs is best known for providing photographic evidence of forgotten, unseen and disquieting aspects of history. The cornerstone of The Burns Archive is its unparalleled collection of early medical photography, but it is also renowned for its iconic images depicting the darker side of life: Death, Disease, Disaster, Mayhem, Crime, Racism, Revolution and War. Over the past forty years, thousands of publishers, exhibitors, authors, researchers, artists and filmmakers have utilized this unique source of visual documentation. Having produced dozens of books and having curated and contributed to frequent national and international museum and gallery exhibitions, The Burns Archive actively acquires, donates, researches, lectures, exhibits, consults, and shares its rare and unusual photographs and expertise worldwide.

Holdings:

Largest private archive of early medical photography (1847-1960), containing over 70,000 images related to the history of medicine, especially strong in nineteenth century imagery (daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, etc). Our library contains hundreds of original journals, especially those related to medical photography, 1865-1930. Several books and articles on various aspects of medical specialties have been published from the collection.

Subject Strengths:

History of Alternative Medicine; History of Anatomy; History of Anesthesiology and Anesthesia; History of Cardiology; History of Dentistry; History of Dermatology; History of Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases; History of Forensic Medicine; History of Gerontology; History of Gynecology and Obstetrics; History of Health Regulation; History of Hematology; History of Homeopathy; History of Hospitals; History of Immunology; History of Inoculation Vaccination and Immunization; History of Medical Education; History of Medical Ethics; History of Medicine; History of Midwifery; History of Military/Naval Medicine; History of Neurology; History of Nursing; History of Oncology; History of Ophthalmology and Optometry; History of Orthopedics; History of Osteopathy; History of Otorhinolaryngology; History of Pain Management; History of Pathology; History of Pediatrics; History of Pharmacology and Pharmacy; History of Physiology; History of Preventive or Occupational Medicine; History of Psychiatry; History of Psychology; History of Public Health; History of Quackery and Health Fraud; History of Radiology; History of Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy; History of Reproductive Health; History of Surgery; History of Tropical Medicine; History of Urology; History of Veterinary Medicine; History of Women in Medicine; History of the Allied Health Sciences; History of the Practice of Medicine; Materia Medica; Photographic History of Medicine

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