United States National Library of Medicine
National Institutes of Health
History of Medicine

Directory of History of Medicine Collections

Name:

Historical Collections
Health Sciences and Human Services Library
University of Maryland, Baltimore

Type:
Library
Address:
601 W. Lombard Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201-1512
United States
Contact:
Tara Wink, Historical Librarian And Archivist
Telephone:
(410) 706-5048
Telephone:
1 410-706-5048
Fax: ---
Online:
Catalog:
Email:
Other:
Other:
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Abstract:

The collections at the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s Health Sciences and Human Services Library are strong in the history of medicine and dentistry but also include collections on Social Work, Nursing, Physical Therapy, and Pharmacy. Archival materials and special collections relating to the University of Maryland Baltimore and the Maryland State system are also held in the historical collections. Materials are available for public use but are library use only. It is best to make an appointment to use the collections; however, the space is usually open from 8:30AM to 4:30PM Monday through Friday.

Holdings:

The Historical Collections of the Health Sciences and Human Services Library are comprised of eight separate book collections, and include significant materials in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, and social work. The Crawford Collection, which includes early works on medicine and related fields, was originally the private collection of Dr. John Crawford, an early 19th century Baltimore physician. Following his death in 1813, the University of Maryland School of Medicine purchased the collection from his estate. This purchase represents the founding of the Health Sciences Library and by extension the entire University of Maryland Library System. The Cordell Collection, named for Dr. Eugene Cordell, an early historian of the University and first librarian of the institution, includes imprints in the field of medicine. The collection features works by such notables as John Hunter, Benjamin Rush, Hermann Boerhaave, and others. It also includes a substantial number of writings by early faculty members.

The Grieves Collection contains significant works in the history of dentistry. Outstanding examples are complete sets of the oldest American dental journals, the first dentistry book published in the United States, as well as the volume Practica Medicine by Arnoldus de Villa Nova, published in Venice in 1497. Of particular note is the extensive collection of dental history prints representing the work of numerous renowned artists dating from the 17th to the 19th centuries.

The Pharmacy Collection is rich in herbals, pharmacopoeias, materials on the history of pharmacy, and early pharmaceutical imprints. Notable authors represented include Armand Trousseau, George Urdang, Jacob Bigelow, and Jonathan Pereira.

The Nursing Collection is the smallest, but contains first editions of Florence Nightingale's works, and also includes some of her original handwritten notes. The Social Work Collection began with the purchase of the Marie Stopes birth control collection. It includes significant works by such prominent social workers as Jane Addams, Dorothea Dix, Mary Ellen Richmond, Margaret Sanger, and Marie Stopes herself. Its scope ranges from topics such as birth control and world fertility studies, to child welfare, social settlements and the history of social work.

The Kendall Historical Collection in physical therapy was donated to us by Dr. Florence P. Kendall, noted lecturer and author of works that have become core materials in the discipline of physical therapy. The collection includes significant twentieth century texts devoted to the study of anatomical structures, movement, and rehabilitative exercise. Other works offer a variety of studies devoted to orthopedic surgery, muscle function, and sports medicine. Of special interest is Dr. Kendall's own work, Muscles, Testing and Function, published in English and eight foreign language editions.

The Ferencz Historical Collection is our most recent addition. Donated by Dr. Charlotte Ferencz, the collection includes chiefly twentieth century works in the field of heart disease. The collection informed and inspired Dr. Ferencz's own career in pediatrics and epidemiology, particularly in terms of her work in the area of congenital heart disease and her coordination of the Baltimore-Washington Infant Study.

In addition to these book collections, there are archival materials relating to the history of the University of Maryland Baltimore and the history of medicine in Baltimore generally. Records include yearbooks and annual catalogs from the professional schools in the University of Maryland Baltimore. Collections also include papers from influential school founders, professors, and administrators.

Subject Strengths:
History of Dentistry; History of Medicine; History of Nursing; History of Pharmacology and Pharmacy; History of Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy; History of Reproductive Health
Last Updated:
19 Mar 2018
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