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Bright (George Adams) Papers
mssHM 54997-55576  
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Collection Overview
 
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Description
George Adams Bright (1837-1905) briefly practiced medicine in Concord, N.H. and served on the House Staff of Massachusetts General Hospital. In May 1861, he joined the Navy. During the Civil War, Bright served as a surgeon off the coasts of Texas, Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas with the Gulf, South Atlantic, and North Blockading Squadron. From 1869 to 1873 he served in the Mediterranean, onboard of the Plymouth (formerly Kenosha) and Brooklyn. In 1878 he took part in the voyage of the Tuscarora assigned to oceanic survey work off the western coasts of Central and South America. In 1883, he took part in the cruise of Galena to Panama, and from 1891 to 1894 served as a relief surgeon on the protected cruiser Newark. Between cruises he served on shore duty at the Naval Academy (1873-1876), Mare Island (1880-1883), and Brooklyn Navy Yard. In 1895 he was put in charge of the Naval Hospital in Washington, and in 1897, appointed Medical Director of the Navy.The collection includes letters from George Adams Bright to his family describing his medical practice, Civil War experience, travels, and family affairs. The collection also includes journals that Bright kept during all of his sea voyages.
Background
George Adams Bright (1837-1905) Naval surgeon. A native of Bangor, Maine and a graduate of Harvard, he briefly practiced medicine in Concord, New Hampshire and served on the House Staff of Massachusetts General Hospital. In May 1861, he joined the Navy. During the Civil War, Bright served as a surgeon off the coasts of Texas, Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas with the Gulf, South Atlantic, and North Blockading Squadron, first on the steamer South Carolina and then the ironclad New Ironsides. After the Civil War, he served on the Marion and the Marblehead, the practice ships of the Naval Academy. In November 1866 Bright was ordered to the frigate Susquehanna, the flagship of the fleet that carried Lewis Davis Campbell, the American minister to Mexico, accompanied by William Tecumseh Sherman. From 1869 to 1873 served in the Mediterranean, onboard of the Plymouth (formerly Kenosha) and Brooklyn. In 1878 he took part in the voyage of the Tuscarora assigned to oceanic survey work off the western coasts of Central and South America. In 1883, he took part in the cruise of Galena to Panama, and from 1891 to 1894 he served as a relief surgeon on the protected cruiser Newark. Between the cruises, he served on shore duty at the Naval Academy, 1873 to 1876, Mare Island, 1880 to 1883, and Brooklyn Navy Yard. In 1895 he was put in charge of the Naval Hospital in Washington, and in 1897, appointed Medical Director of the Navy. Bright retired in 1899 with the rank of Rear Admiral.
Extent
16.5 Linear Feet (11 boxes, 3 oversized folders)
Restrictions
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
Availability
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.