Faculty Meeting Minutes of the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania, 1850

Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 11/14/2025, 4:14:02 PM

Added description

Description

Faculty Meeting Minutes of the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania, 1850

Overview

This archival item is a series of scanned pages (JPEG and TIFF) comprising the official minutes of faculty meetings held by the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania during 1850. The documents are written in English, dated from June 25 to November 29, 1850, and were produced in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The collection is held by the Final‑Drexel‑University archive and was digitized by the PINAX project. No copyright restrictions are noted.

Background

The Female Medical College of Pennsylvania, founded in 1850, was the first institution in the United States to grant medical degrees to women. Its faculty met regularly to govern the college, adopt by‑laws, manage finances, and oversee clinical and educational activities. The minutes record interactions among faculty members—Dr. R. Burr, Dr. Mosely, Dr. Challoner, Prof. Longshore, Prof. Gleason, and others—as well as the college’s president, William S. Butler, Esq. The documents reflect the challenges of establishing a new medical school, including faculty resignations, committee formations, and the organization of lecture rooms, a lying‑in department, and a museum.

Contents

Each page contains a dated heading, the location of the meeting (e.g., “229 Arch St.”, “College Building”), and a narrative of the proceedings. Key actions recorded include:
  • Investigation of Dr. Burr’s conduct and his resignation (June 25–July 2).
  • Formation of committees for by‑laws, medicine procurement, and museum arrangement.
  • Decisions on tuition, matriculation fees, and ticket policies.
  • Resolutions on renting lecture rooms, establishing a lying‑in department, and appointing resident accouche.
  • Appointment of visiting physicians and intern physicians.
  • Financial resolutions concerning rent, common advertising funds, and debt responsibility.
The minutes also reference a later meeting in 1855 concerning building alterations.

Scope

The collection covers faculty meetings from June 25 to November 29, 1850, with a single 1855 entry. It documents administrative, financial, and academic matters pertinent to the college’s first year. The material is limited to meeting minutes; it does not include external correspondence, student records, or faculty biographies beyond brief mentions. The archive provides a primary source for scholars studying early women’s medical education, institutional governance, and the social history of Philadelphia in the mid‑19th century.

Entities

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Entity Relationships

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Raw Cheimarros Data

**Organizations & Places**

@female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania:organization {type: "Female medical college", location: @philadelphia}
@philadelphia:place {state: @pennsylvania, country: @united_states}
@pennsylvania:place {type: "state", country: @united_states}
@college_building:place {address: "229 Arch St, Philadelphia", city: @philadelphia}
@philadelphia_college_of_medicine:place {description: "Philadelphia College of Medicine", city: @philadelphia}
@exchange:place {description: "Exchange, Philadelphia", city: @philadelphia}
@board_of_trustees:organization {affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}
@historical_society:organization {}
@phenological_society:organization {}
@college_clinic:organization {affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}
@lying_in_asylum:organization {affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}
@museum_committee:organization {type: "committee", purpose: "arrange museum"}

**Persons (faculty, staff & others)**  

@burr:person {full_name: "Dr. R. Burr", role: "Professor"}
@mccloskey:person {full_name: "Dr. McCloskey", role: "Professor"}
@mosely:person {full_name: "Dr. Mosely", role: "Professor"}
@challoner:person {full_name: "Dr. Challoner", role: "Professor"}
@longshore:person {full_name: "Prof. Longshore", role: "Professor"}
@dickinson:person {full_name: "Prof. Dickinson", role: "Professor"}
@gleason:person {full_name: "Prof. Gleason", role: "Professor"}
@dickerson:person {full_name: "Prof. Dickerson", role: "Professor"}
@mckibben:person {full_name: "Prof. McKibben", role: "Professor"}
@mccuskey:person {full_name: "Dr. McCluskey", role: "Professor"}
@sangphore:person {full_name: "Dr. Sangphore", role: "Professor"}
@langshore:person {full_name: "Dr. Langshore", role: "Professor"}
@masly:person {full_name: "N R Masly, MD", title: "Dean"}
@birnbaum:person {full_name: "Mr. H. Birnbaum", role: "Tutor"}
@young:person {full_name: "Mr. Young", role: "Printer"}
@pease:person {full_name: "Mr. Pease", role: "Accountant"}
@mullen:person {full_name: "W D Mullen", role: "President of Board of Trustees"}
@butler:person {full_name: "William S. Butler, Esq.", role: "President of College"}
@bullock_crenshaw:organization {type: "druggists", members: ["Bullock", "Crenshaw"]}

**Committees (created as concepts for each distinct committee)**  

@investigation_committee:concept {purpose: "investigate reports on Dr. Burr", members: [@burr, @mccloskey, @mosely, @challoner]}
@bylaws_committee:concept {purpose: "draft By‑Laws", members: [@mosely, @challoner, @longshore]}
@museum_committee:concept {purpose: "superintend museum arrangement", members: [@mosely, @dickerson, @gleason]}
@medicine_procurement_committee:concept {purpose: "procure medicines for dispensary", members: [@gleason, @challoner, @dickerson]}
@drugs_committee:concept {purpose: "handle drug donations", members: []}
@anatomy_demonstration_committee:concept {purpose: "report on anatomy demonstrator rights", members: []}
@upper_room_committee:concept {purpose: "fit upper lecture room", members: []}
@lower_room_committee:concept {purpose: "fit lower lecture room", members: []}
@ticket_committee:concept {purpose: "manage matriculation tickets", members: []}
@rent_committee:concept {purpose: "arrange rent of rooms", members: []}
@museum_arrangement_committee:concept {purpose: "arrange museum", members: []}

**Meetings (events) – one per date/location mentioned**  

@meeting_1850_06_25:event {when: @date_1850_06_25, where: @philadelphia}
@meeting_1850_07_02:event {when: @date_1850_07_02, where: @philadelphia_college_of_medicine}
@meeting_1850_08_27:event {when: @date_1850_08_27, where: @exchange}
@meeting_1850_09_13:event {when: @date_1850_09_13, where: @college_building}
@meeting_1850_09_17:event {when: @date_1850_09_17, where: @college_building}
@meeting_1850_10_09:event {when: @date_1850_10_09, where: @college_building}
@meeting_1850_10_10:event {when: @date_1850_10_10, where: @college_building}
@meeting_1850_10_11:event {when: @date_1850_10_11, where: @college_building}
@meeting_1850_10_12:event {when: @date_1850_10_12, where: @college_building}
@meeting_1850_10_17:event {when: @date_1850_10_17, where: @college_building}
@meeting_1850_10_24:event {when: @date_1850_10_24, where: @college_building}
@meeting_1850_10_28:event {when: @date_1850_10_28, where: @college_building}
@meeting_1850_11_09:event {when: @date_1850_11_09, where: @college_building}
@meeting_1850_11_15:event {when: @date_1850_11_15, where: @college_building}
@meeting_1850_11_18:event {when: @date_1850_11_18, where: @college_building}
@meeting_1850_11_26:event {when: @date_1850_11_26, where: @college_building}
@meeting_1850_11_29:event {when: @date_1850_11_29, where: @college_building}
@meeting_1855_08_27:event {when: @date_1855_08_27, where: @exchange}

**Resolutions (concepts) – a selection of the most salient**  

@res_investigate_burr:concept {text: "Investigate all reports concerning the character and standing of Dr. Burr as a medical professional"}
@res_draft_bylaws:concept {text: "Draft a copy of By‑Laws for the Faculty government"}
@res_resign_burr:concept {text: "Dr. R. Burr tendered his resignation; forward to Board of Trustees"}
@res_publish_announcement:concept {text: "Publish college announcement in 5 000 copies"}
@res_fill_vacancy_dean:concept {text: "Dean to communicate Burr’s resignation to Board and request vacancy filled"}
@res_mat_fee_insufficiency:concept {text: "If matriculating fees insufficient to cover rent ($350), professors pledge to pay the balance"}
@res_ticket_policy:concept {text: "Faculty may invite males to lectures with class permission; ticket holders may not attend twice without Dean’s permission"}
@res_museum_arrangement:concept {text: "Appoint three members to superintend museum arrangement"}
@res_lying_in_department:concept {text: "Organize a board for the Lying‑In Department"}
@res_resident_accouche:concept {text: "Mrs. W. Gleason appointed resident accouche for three months"}
@res_intern_physician:concept {text: "Prof. Mosely appointed intern physician; Prof. Longshore consulting physician"}
@res_visiting_physicians:concept {text: "Prof. Dickenson & Prof. McKibben elected visiting physicians"}
@res_medicine_procurement:concept {text: "Appoint three members to procure medicines for dispensary"}
@res_anatomy_demonstrator:concept {text: "Define rights of anatomy demonstrator; subjects for dissection to be supervised by Prof. of Anatomy"}
@res_rent_lower_room:concept {text: "Dean authorized to rent lower lecture room"}
@res_rent_lecture_rooms:concept {text: "Rent lecture rooms at $2 per night (or $1.50 per lecture for multiple lectures)"}
@res_fund_common:concept {text: "Each faculty member contribute $5 to common advertising fund"}
@res_dean_authority:concept {text: "Dean empowered to rent rooms, issue certificates, and manage finances; Faculty may not interfere"}
@res_no_debt_without_vote:concept {text: "Faculty not responsible for debts unless authorized by vote"}
@res_no_double_speaking:concept {text: "No member may speak twice on the same subject without Dean’s permission"}
@res_demonstrator_privileges:concept {text: "Demonstrator has same rights as favored demonstrators in the city; may purchase and prepare subjects"}
@res_party_matriculants:concept {text: "Faculty to give evening party to matriculants on charter anniversary"}

**Key Relationships – linking files, meetings, committees, resolutions, and persons**  

@file_a092_001_003_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1850_06_25:event  
@meeting_1850_06_25:event -> resolved -> @res_investigate_burr {by: @burr}  
@meeting_1850_06_25:event -> appointed -> @investigation_committee {members: [@burr, @mccloskey, @mosely, @challoner]}  
@meeting_1850_06_25:event -> appointed -> @bylaws_committee {members: [@mosely, @challoner, @longshore]}  

@file_a092_001_003_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1850_07_02:event  
@meeting_1850_07_02:event -> resolved -> @res_resign_burr  
@meeting_1850_07_02:event -> resolved -> @res_fill_vacancy_dean  
@meeting_1850_07_02:event -> resolved -> @res_publish_announcement  

@file_a092_001_004_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1850_08_27:event  
@meeting_1850_08_27:event -> resolved -> @res_museum_arrangement {by: @museum_committee}  
@meeting_1850_08_27:event -> resolved -> @res_lying_in_department  

@file_a092_001_005_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1850_09_13:event  
@meeting_1850_09_13:event -> resolved -> @res_mat_fee_insufficiency {by: @masly}  
@meeting_1850_09_13:event -> resolved -> @res_ticket_policy {by: @masly}  

@file_a092_001_006_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1850_09_17:event  
@meeting_1850_09_17:event -> resolved -> @res_ticket_committee {by: @masly}  

@file_a092_001_007_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1850_10_09:event  
@meeting_1850_10_09:event -> appointed -> @museum_committee {members: [@mosely, @dickerson, @gleason]}  
@meeting_1850_10_09:event -> resolved -> @res_resident_accouche {by: @longshore}  
@meeting_1850_10_09:event -> resolved -> @res_intern_physician {by: @longshore}  
@meeting_1850_10_09:event -> resolved -> @res_visiting_physicians {by: @longshore}  

@file_a092_001_008_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1850_10_10:event  
@meeting_1850_10_10:event -> resolved -> @res_medicine_procurement {by: @gleason}  

@file_a092_001_009_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1850_10_11:event  
@meeting_1850_10_11:event -> resolved -> @res_anatomy_demonstrator {by: @gleason}  

@file_a092_001_010_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1850_10_12:event  
@meeting_1850_10_12:event -> resolved -> @res_rent_lower_room {by: @gleason}  

@file_a092_001_011_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1850_10_17:event  
@meeting_1850_10_17:event -> resolved -> @res_rent_lecture_rooms {by: @gleason}  

@file_a092_001_012_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1850_10_24:event  
@meeting_1850_10_24:event -> resolved -> @res_fund_common {by: @gleason}  

@file_a092_001_013_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1850_10_28:event  
@meeting_1850_10_28:event -> resolved -> @res_no_debt_without_vote {by: @gleason}  

@file_a092_001_014_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1850_11_09:event  
@meeting_1850_11_09:event -> resolved -> @res_dean_authority {by: @gleason}  

@file_a092_001_015_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1850_11_15:event  
@meeting_1850_11_15:event -> resolved -> @res_no_double_speaking {by: @gleason}  

@file_a092_001_016_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1850_11_18:event  
@meeting_1850_11_18:event -> resolved -> @res_demonstrator_privileges {by: @gleason}  

@file_a092_001_017_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1850_11_26:event  
@meeting_1850_11_26:event -> resolved -> @res_party_matriculants {by: @gleason}  

@file_a092_001_018_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1850_11_29:event  
@meeting_1850_11_29:event -> resolved -> @res_rent_lecture_rooms {by: @langshore}  

@file_a092_001_019_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1850_11_15:event {note: "Committee report on anatomy demonstrator"}  
@meeting_1850_11_15:event -> appointed -> @anatomy_demonstration_committee  

@file_a092_001_020_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1850_11_26:event {note: "Funds for rent to be paid to President Mullen"}  
@meeting_1850_11_26:event -> resolved -> @res_rent_committee {by: @gleason}  

@file_a092_001_021_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1850_11_29:event {note: "Resignation of Prof. James F. X. M. Claskey"}  
@meeting_1850_11_29:event -> resolved -> @res_resign_burr {by: @langshore}  

@file_a092_001_003_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1855_08_27:event  
@meeting_1855_08_27:event -> resolved -> @res_building_alterations {text: "Committee to confer with Trustees on building alterations"}  

**Cross‑entity links**  

@masly -> holds position -> @dean  
@masly -> reports to -> @board_of_trustees  
@birnbaum -> hired by -> @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania  
@young -> printed -> @ticket_committee {task: "matriculation tickets"}  
@pease -> managed -> @fund_common {type: "pay book"}  
@mullen -> president of -> @board_of_trustees  
@butler -> president of -> @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania  

**Summary**  

The knowledge graph captures the Faculty of the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1850‑1855, its meetings (identified by date and venue), the faculty members and staff involved, the various committees created to handle bylaws, investigations, museum arrangements, medicine procurement, and rent/room management, and the numerous resolutions passed concerning resignations, financial policies, lecture‑room rentals, ticketing, the Lying‑In Department, and the rights of demonstrators. Each archival file is linked to the specific meeting it documents.

Metadata

Version History (4 versions)

  • ✓ v4 (current) · 11/14/2025, 4:14:02 PM
    "Added description"
  • v3 · 11/14/2025, 4:03:24 PM · View this version
    "Added knowledge graph extraction"
  • v2 · 11/14/2025, 3:57:56 PM · View this version
    "Added PINAX metadata"
  • v1 · 11/14/2025, 3:56:35 PM · View this version
    "Reorganization group: Faculty_Meeting_Minutes_1850"

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01KA1H94RBKZH4GAH7K363KG5R

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