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Francis X. Dercum Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS-050

Scope and Contents

This collection consists largely of Dercum's publications, both individual articles in box 1 and bound reprints found in box 2. Box 1 also contains several short biographies, a newspaper clipping from 1939 referencing Dercum's role in persuading Woodrow Wilson not to resign from the presidency, and several photographs and images.

Dates

  • Other: Date Not Yet Determined

Creator

Biographical / Historical

Francis Xavier Dercum was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1865. He received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1877. He was a Professor of Nervous and Mental Diseases at Jefferson Medical College from 1883-1900 and became the Department Chair in 1900, a position he held until 1925. His career focused largely on neuropsychiatry and endocrinology, and in 1892 he described adipose dolorosa, also known as Dercum's disease. He founded the Philadelphia Neurological Society with Charles K. Mills and throughout his life would be a member of many medical societies and organizations. His life came to an end during an April 24, 1931 meeting of the American Philosophical Society when he died of heart failure.

Extent

.75 Linear Feet (2 boxes)

Language

English

Arrangement

I. Biography (1932-1996) II. Publications (1878-1931) III. Events and Ephemera (1939) IV. Pictorial (1901-1906) V. Necrology (1931)
Title
Francis X. Dercum Papers
Status
Completed
Author
Kelsey Duinkerken
Date
April 2014
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Thomas Jefferson University - Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
1020 Walnut Street
Room 401, Scott Memorial Library
Philadelphia PA 19107-5587