Description
This collection contains diaries, sketchbooks, military appointments, travel orders, and other
documents of J. B. Girard (1846-1918), a surgeon in the United States Army Medical Corps who served
at several different military posts, including Hawaii, between 1867 and 1910.
Background
Joseph Basil (J. B.) Girard (1846-1918) emigrated from France to the United States in 1861, at the
age of fifteen. In 1867 he graduated as a doctor of medicine from the University of
Michigan; in that same year he received an appointment to the United States Army Medical
Corps in which he served until his retirement in 1910 with the rank of lieutenant-colonel
and assistant surgeon general. He married Louise Oury in 1875; they had three children,
Agnes, Louise, and Laura. Girard was stationed at several army posts throughout his
military career. He served in Arizona, Wyoming, Missouri, Hawaii, Nebraska, Georgia, and
Washington State. He also served as Chief Surgeon for the Division of the Philippines
from 1904-1906 and for the Department of Texas from 1907-1910. He was a member of the
Scientific Society of San Antonio and the Arizona Pioneers Historical Society. He was
also a skilled amateur artist who produced many pencil sketches and watercolors
throughout his life. These sketches and paintings often included western landscapes and
scenes of army life at military posts. Girard's work also contains several sketches he
did while traveling through Europe. After retirement, J. B. Girard remained in San
Antonio where he died in 1918.
Extent
120 pieces in 2 boxes
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 to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader
Services.