John Shaw Billings papers, 1862-1913.

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Creator

Billings, John S. (John Shaw), 1838-1913.

Location

Manuscripts and Archives Division

Extent

• 48 linear feet (109 boxes).
• Selected materials: 53 microfilm reels.

Access Restrictions

Restricted access; Manuscripts and Archives Division; Permit must be requested at the division indicated.

Microfilm must be used in lieu of originals when available.

Scope/Contents Note

Collection consists of correspondence and papers relating to Billings' work with the United States Army Medical Department, 1861-1895; Johns Hopkins Hospital (especially building plans), 1873-1890; National Board of Health, 1879-1881; the 10th and 11th censuses, University of Pennsylvania Hospital and Laboratory of Hygiene, 1890-1895; The New York Public Library, 1895-1913; Committee ofFifty on the Liquor Problem, 1893-1904; Carnegie Institute,1902-1913; National Academy of Science, 1875-1911; and theAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science. Other papers are family correspondence, including letters from Billings to his wife regarding his Civil War experiences; texts of lectures and addresses; notes; and miscellaneous papers. Also, scrapbooks about the Civil War,National Board of Health and health issues, 1861-1903; diaries; photographs and travel notebooks; and material about infectious diseases and epidemics. Correspondents include Alexander Agassiz, Alexander G. Bell, John Bigelow,Henry P. Bowditch, Henry C. Burdett, John L. Cadwalader, Andrew Carnegie, Melvil Dewey, Robert Fletcher, Francis Galton, Daniel C. Gilman, Silas W. Mitchell, William Pepper, Stephen Smith, and George Sternberg.

Biographical/Historical Note

John Shaw Billings (1838-1913) was an American surgeon, hospital planner and librarian. He served as a U.S. Army surgeon and was responsible for creating the nation's foremost medical library, now the National Library of Medicine. He served as special advisor to the trustees of Johns Hopkins Hospital in planning and organizing that institution. After retiring from the Army in 1895, Billings was named the first Director of the New York Public Library. He helped create the NYPL by combining theAstor and Lenox Libraries into a public research library and building a branch library system for three of the boroughs of New York City (Manhattan, Staten Island and the Bronx). He also planned and oversaw the construction of the Central Library building which was opened to the public in 1911.

Controlled Access Terms

• Billings, John S. (John Shaw), 1838-1913.
• Billings family.
• United States. Army Medical Dept.
• University of Pennsylvania. Hospital. Laboratory of Hygiene.
• National Board of Health (U.S.)
• New York Public Library.
• Committee of Fifty for the Investigation of the Liquor Problem.
• National Academy of Sciences (U.S.)
• American Association for the Advancement of Science.
• Carnegie Institute of Technology.
• Medicine, Military -- United States.
• Public health -- United States.
• Public libraries -- New York (State) -- New York.
• Alcohol -- Physiological effect.
• Science -- United States -- Societies, etc.
• Communicable diseases.
• Epidemics.
• United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal narratives.
• United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Medical care.
• Architectural drawings.
• Photographic prints.
• Diaries.
• Scrapbooks.
• Surgeons.
• Librarians.

Additional Creator Names

• Agassiz, Alexander, 1835-1910.
• Bell, Alexander Graham, 1847-1922.
• Bigelow, John, 1817-1911.
• Bowditch, H. P. (Henry Pickering), 1840-1911.
• Burdett, Henry C., Sir, 1847-1920.
• Cadwalader, John L. (John Lambert), 1837-1914.
• Carnegie, Andrew, 1835-1919.
• Dewey, Melvil, 1851-1931.
• Fletcher, Robert, 1823-1912.
• Gilman, Daniel Coit, 1831-1908.
• Mitchell, S. Weir (Silas Weir), 1829-1914.
• Pepper, William, 1843-1898.
• Smith, Stephen, 1823-1922.
• Sternberg, George Miller, 1838-1915.