Scope and Contents
The collection consists of materials by or about Thomas D. Mutter, M.D. and the Mutter Museum from 1841-1884. The materials include addresses (1841-1851) given to Jefferson students (consisting of introductory lectures and charges to graduates), publications of syllabi for Jefferson courses (many interleaved with student notes), and two memoirs (1859) of Mutter, one written by R.J. Levis and the other by Joseph Pancoast.
Biographical / Historical
Thomas Dent Mutter (1811-1859) was an American surgeon and educator, best known as the original benefactor and namesake of the Mutter Museum of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. He was born on March 9, 1811 in Richmond, VA. His mother died two years after his birth, in 1813. In 1819, Mutter’s father died, leaving his only child an orphan at age 8. Mutter was then raised by a relative of his mother.
Mutter completed his premedical education at Hampden Sydney College, before studying with a Dr. Simms of Alexandria, VA. He earned his M.D. degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1831, at age 20. After graduation, Mutter continued his education abroad, studying under well-known surgeons in Paris and London. Upon his return to the United States, he sought to establish a practice in Philadelphia. He first taught surgery at the Philadelphia Institute (1835) and was elected as a fellow of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia (1836). In 1841, Mutter was appointed Professor of Surgery at Jefferson Medical College, a position he held until his retirement in 1856. Mutter was well-regarded by peers and students for his skills as a surgeon and teacher. He was the first physician in the city of Philadelphia to administer ether anesthesia to a patient for surgery. His namesake “Mutter flap” skin grafting technique is still used today.
In 1856, Mutter’s health problems, including chronic gout and pulmonary hemorrhages related to tuberculosis, necessitated his retirement from teaching. One year later, he was granted the title of Professor Emeritus (1857). He traveled first to Europe and then to Charlestown, SC, in the hope that the climate would improve his health, but these attempts were unsuccessful. Thomas Dent Mutter died of consumption on March 19, 1859, at the age of 48. He was survived by his wife, Mary Alsop Mutter.
Mutter bequeathed his personal collection of 1,700 objects, including wax models and medical specimens, along with an endowment of $30,000 to the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. He stipulated that the College maintain and expand the collection, hire a curator, hold annual lectures, and erect a fireproof building to house the collection. Currently, the museum holds over 25,000 objects.