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
4 Linear Feet
(2 boxes, 1 oversize folder)
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.