Charles Wistar Stevens Papers: Finding Aid

Finding aid prepared by Steven Collicelli, April 14, 2011.

The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens

Manuscripts Department

1151 Oxford Road

San Marino, California 91108

Phone: (626) 405-2129

Email: reference@huntington.org

URL: http://www.huntington.org

Overview of the Collection

Title: Charles Wistar Stevens Papers

Dates (inclusive): 1823-1888

Collection Number: mssStevens papers

Creator: Stevens, Charles Wistar, -1901.

Extent: 59 items in 1 box.

Repository: The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens. Manuscripts Department

1151 Oxford Road

San Marino, California 91108

Phone: (626) 405-2129

Email: reference@huntington.org

URL: http://www.huntington.org

Abstract: This collection contains correspondence and notes of New England doctor Charles W. Stevens (died 1901) and offers insight into 19th century medical practice.

Language: English.

Access

Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

Administrative Information

Publication Rights

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.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item]. Charles Wistar Stevens Papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Provenance

On permanent deposit from the Los Angeles County Medical Association, 1992.

Biographical Note

Charles W. Stevens (died 1901) practiced medicine in Boston and his native New Hampshire throughout much of the 19th century. A Harvard graduate, Stevens cultivated relationships with several important 19th century figures. He exchanged letters with prominent Boston area physicians including Jacobi Abraham, a leading figure in the study of pediatrics. He was personally endorsed by the famed Fireside poet, James Russell Lowell. He also corresponded with the biblical scholar Osmon C. Baker and his family. Finally, Stevens conversed with the less well- off: the street dregs, the unemployed, and the undesired. He published a book, Revelations of a Boston Doctor (1882), where he described his encounters with poverty. Several chapters highlighted the plight of orphans, pregnant women, and tuberculosis victims. Well-born and well-off, Stevens’ concern for society’s less fortunate suggests the complexity of 19th century class relations.

Scope and Content

This collection contains correspondence and notes of New England doctor Charles W. Stevens (died 1901) and offers insight into 19th century medical practice. Included are Steven's inquiries concerning dropsy, diphtheria, and other diseases. The collection contains several diplomas and certificates received by Charles Wistar Stevens. Also included are three lists of the Stevens and Baker families. Among the notes included, three are in French (prescription lists) and one is in Spanish (a poem).

Notable participants include Clarence J. Baker, Ephraim Cutter, Henry M. Field, Austin Flint, Abraham Jacobi, James Russell Lowell, Justin McCarthy, Edwin Whipple, Henry W. Williams, and Robert C. Winthrop.

Arrangement

The collection is organized chronologically from 1823 to 1888. In addition, 10 pages of biographical notes concerning the various correspondents are located at the end of the collection.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the Huntington Library's Online Catalog.

Subjects

Stevens, Charles Wistar, -1901.

Diphtheria.

Edema.

Medicine -- United States -- History -- 19th century -- Sources.

Physicians -- United States -- Correspondence.

Los Angeles County Medical Association Collection.

Forms/Genres

Certificates -- United States -- 19th century.

Diplomas -- United States -- 19th century.

Letters (correspondence) -- United States -- 19th century.

Notes -- United States -- 19th century.

Additional Contributors

Blake, Clarence J.

Cutter, Ephraim, 1832-1917.

Field, Henry M. (Henry Martyn), 1822-1907.

Flint, Austin, 1812-1886.

Jacobi, A. (Abraham), 1830-1919.

Lowell, James Russell, 1819-1891.

McCarthy, Justin, 1830-1912.

Whipple, Edwin Percy, 1819-1886.

Williams, Henry W. (Henry Willard), 1821-1895.

Winthrop, Robert C. (Robert Charles), 1809-1894.

Los Angeles County Medical Association, former owner.

Box 1

Papers

Folder 1

1823, July 29. Baker, Abigail. 1 letter to "Dear Girl."

Folder 2

1824, Nov. 27. Chase, [Clemenson]. Letter of Recommendation for Thomas Jefferson Stevens.

Folder 3

[1825]. [unknown]. 1 Note on Medical Instruments. 4.1829. Richardson, Abel. Testimony concerning illness.

Folder 5

1832, July 9. Dinsmoor, Samuel, 1799-1869. Diploma of Surgery for Thomas Jefferson Stevens.

Folder 6

1835. Walker, James. 1 letter to Charles Wistar Stevens, d. 1901.

Folder 7

1838, May 8. Stevens, Thomas Jefferson and Abigail Stevens. 1 land Contract with Richard Tinker.

Folder 8

1840, Nov. 16. Baker, M----. 1 letter to Abigail Stevens.

Folder 9

1857, June 12. Walker, James. Certificate of Matriculation Harvard College to Charles Wistar Stevens, d. 1901.

Folder 10

1858, May 3. [unknown]. 1 letter to Charles Wistar Stevens, d. 1901.

Folder 11

1862, Jun. 1. Lowell, James Russell, 1819-1891. 1 letter to "My Dear Black."

Folder 12

1864, Mar. 22. "A. Richet." Prescription List.

Folder 13

1864, Mar. [unknown]. Prescription List.

Folder 14

1867, Feb. 10. Durcey, V. Letter of Recognition to Charles Wistar Stevens, d. 1901.

Folder 15

1870, Mar. 9. Massachusetts Medical Society. Diploma to Charles Wistar Stevens, d. 1901.

Folder 16

1867. [Behier]. Prescription List.

Folder 17

1873, Mar. 3. Priest, John T. 1 letter to Charles Wistar Stevens, d. 1901.

Folder 18

1876, Feb. 5. Stevens, Charles Wistar, d. 1901. 1 letter to A. (Abraham) Jacobi, 1830-1919.

Folder 19

1876, Feb. Flint, Austin, 1812-1886. 1 letter to "Dear Sir."

Folder 20

1876, May 29. Blake, Clarence J. 1 letter to Charles Wistar, d. 1901.

Folder 21

1877, Feb. 8. Williams, Henry W. (Henry Willard), 1821-1895. 1 letter to "Dear Doctor."

Folder 22

1877, Feb. 14. Stevens, Charles Wistar, d. 1901. 1 letter to A. (Abraham) Jacobi, 1830- 1919. Includes response.

Folder 23

1880, Oct. 22. Cheever, David W. (David Williams), 1831-1915. 1 letter to Charles Wistar Stevens, d. 1901.

Folder 24

1881, Jan. 18. Bowman, Selwyn Zadock, 1840-1928. 1 letter to "Dear Dr."

Folder 25

1881, Jan 19. "W. Baker." 1 letter to Charles Wistar Stevens, d. 1901.

Folder 26

1881, June 8. Ellis, George Edward, 1814-1894. 1 letter to "Dear Sir."

Folder 27

1881, Nov. 16. Cutter, Ephraim, 1832-1917. 1 letter to "Dear Dr."

Folder 28

1881, Dec. Field, Henry M. (Henry Martyn), 1822-1907. 1 letter to Charles Wistar Stevens, d. 1901.

Folder 29

1882, Dec. 10. Robert, Winthrop C. (Robert Charles), 1809-1894. 1 letter to Charles Wistar Stevens, d. 1901.

Folder 30

1883, Apr. 24. Cook, Joseph, 1838-1901. 1 letter to "Sir."

Folder 31

1883, Sep. 7. Hicks, Hugh. 1 letter to "Gould."

Folder 32

1884, Sept. 23. "S.M. Gray." 1 letter to Charles Wistar Stevens, d. 1901.

Folder 33

1885, Dec. 7. Whipple, Edwin Percy, 1819-1886. 1 letter to Charles Wistar Stevens, d. 1901.

Folder 34

1888, June 27. Wedding announcement of Will B.T. Smith to Miss Nellie Susan Baker.

Folder 35

[undated]. "Mrs. Newcomb." 1 letter to Charles Wistar Stevens, d. 1901.

Folder 36

[undated]. Spurgeon, C.H. (Charles Haddon), 1834-1892. 1 letter to [unknown].

Folder 37

[undated]. "E. M. Collins." 1 letter to Charles Wistar Stevens, d. 1901.

Folder 38

[undated]. McCarthy, Justin, 1830-1912. 1 letter to [unknown]. Fragment.

Folder 39

[undated]. "Dr. Santiago." "Sunflower Sonnet."

Folder 40

[undated]. [unknown]. "A Case of Dropsy."

Folder 41

[undated]. O’Neill John Boyle. 1 letter to "Dear Sir."

Folder 42

[undated]. Howe, S.G. (Samuel Gridley), 1801-1876. 1 letter to "Mrs. Stevens and Friends."

Folder 43

[undated]. [unknown]. 1 Prescription List.

Folder 44

[undated]. [unknown]. Stevens’ Family Record.

Folder 45

[undated]. [unknown]. Baker Family Record.

Folder 46

[undated]. [unknown]. "Baker Relations Now Living."

Folder 47

[undated]. [unknown]. 1 envelope addressed to Thomas Jefferson Stevens.

Folder 48

[undated]. [unknown]. 1 autographed note "Benjamin."

Folder 49

[1982]. [unknown]. 10 pages of notes on Correspondents.