MSS 2/0072-01 Acc. 1990-025
ASHHURST, ASTLEY P. C.,
(1876-1932)
Correspondence,
1902 (1920-1932)
Biographical
Astley Paston Cooper Ashhurst, surgeon, was born in Philadelphia on 21
August 1876; he was the sixth child of physician John Ashhurst, Jr., and
Sarah Stokes Wayne Ashhurst. Astley P. C. Ashhurst married Anna P.
Campbell in 1930. He died of a cerebral hemorrhage in Philadelphia on
19 September 1932. The Ashhursts had one child, a daughter, born in 1933.
Astley P. C. Ashhurst attended the University of Pennsylvania, receiving
his A.B. in 1896 and his M.D. in 1900. He served an internship at
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in 1900, then at the Protestant
Episcopal Hospital, from 1901 to 1903. From 1904 to 1915, he was Surgeon
to the Dispensary at Episcopal Hospital. He was also Assistant Surgeon
(1904-1914) and, later, Surgeon (from 1914), at the Philadelphia Orthopaedic
Hospital and Infirmary for Nervous Diseases; Assistant Surgeon at the German
Hospital (1904-1906); Surgeon to the Dispensary at Children's Hospital
(1906-1911); and Chief of the Gynecological Department at Pennsylvania
Hospital (1906-1911). Ashhurst had a particular interest in bone and
orthopaedic surgery.
At the University of Pennsylvania, he held the chair of Institutes of
Surgery from 1911-1920 and was Professor of Clinical Surgery from 1923 to
1932. Ashhurst wrote many articles, several in collaboration with John B.
Deaver, as well as a textbook on the principles and practice of surgery.
Ashhurst was active in many professional organizations, including the
American Surgical Association, the International Society of Surgery, the
Interurban Surgical Society, and the Philadelphia Academy of Surgery. He
was elected to fellowship in the College of Physicians of Philadelphia in
1906.
Scope and Contents
This small collection of Astley P. C. Ashhurst's correspondence, 1902
(1920-1932), documents his association with the American Surgical
Association and the Interurban Surgical Society as well as his friendship
with noted physicians and surgeons, including Harvey Cushing and D'Arcy
Power. Most items contain little substantial information and were probably
retained for their autograph value.
Series 1.1 contains general correspondence, 1902-1932, filed alphabetically
by author. Occasional drafts or copies of Ashhurst's replies are included.
Most items thank Ashhurst for sending reprints or respond to invitations.
Items of note include: W. Bernard Kinlaw's report on congenital absence of
gall bladder, 1925; William Pepper's historical research on the positions of
John Ashhurst, Jr., in the Medical Department at the University of
Pennsylvania, 1909; and W. Harold Storm's description of his experiences in
Kuwait and four photographs, circa 1928.
Ashhurst's correspondence with John W. Churchman, Secretary-Treasurer of the
Interurban Surgical Society, 1915-1917, is contained in Series 1.2. These
letters concern the nomination of new members to the society.
Series 2 contains correspondence received, 1921-1931, from fellows of the
American Surgical Association. These letters respond to Ashhurst's request
for photographs for inclusion in the Roberts Collection at the College of
Physicians of Philadelphia. After the death of John B. Roberts in 1924,
Astley P. C. Ashhurst assumed responsibility for the collection's growth.
An Ashhurst signature cutting, dated October 1928, is contained in Series 3.
Provenance
This collection of Astley P. C. Ashhurst's correspondence was donated to the
College of Physicians of Philadelphia by Astley P. C. Ashhurst at various
times from 1919 to 1932; one additional item was donated by Anna P. Campbell
Ashhurst in 1933. The bulk of the collection was probably donated in
September and October 1924.
The collection was removed from the Autograph Collection circa 1983; it was
processed and catalogued in 1990.
1902 (1920-1932)
1/2 box (28 folders)
3/20/1990
jde
MSS 2/0072-01 Acc. 1990-025
ASHHURST, ASTLEY P. C.,
(1876-1932)
Correspondence,
1902 (1920-1932)
Box Ser.
1 1.1 CORRESPONDENCE, 1902-1932:
1. A (1 folder) 1902;1922
2. B (1 folder) 1915-1931
3. C (1 folder) 1921-1932
4. D (1 folder) 1926
5. F (1 folder) 1905-1931
6. G (1 folder) 1918-1924
7. H (1 folder) 1920-1930
8. I (1 folder) 1928
9. J (1 folder) 1921-1930
10. K (1 folder) 1922-1927
11. L (1 folder) 1921-1927
12. M (1 folder) 1905-1928
13. N (1 folder) 1929
14. O (1 folder) 1905-1926
15. P (1 folder) 1909-1931
16. R (1 folder) 1906;1922
17. S (1 folder) 1904-1931
18. T (1 folder) 1921-1926
19. V (1 folder) 1906
20. W (1 folder) 1925-1928
21. Z (1 folder) 1920
1.2 INTERURBAN SURGICAL SOCIETY, 1915-1917:
1. Correspondence with John W. Churchman
(1 folder) 1915-1917
2 AMERICAN SURGICAL ASSOCIATION, 1921-1931:
1. A - C (1 folder) 1925-1931
2. D - J (1 folder) 1925-1930
3. K - M (1 folder) 1924-1930
4. O - R (1 folder) 1927-1930
5. S - W (1 folder) 1921-1930
3 SIGNATURE CUTTING, 1928 (1 folder) 1928
1902 (1920-1932)
1/2 box (28 folders)
3/19/1990
jde
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