Faculty Meetings and 3rd Annual Commencement, 1853-1854
Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 11/14/2025, 4:14:48 PM
Added description
Description
Faculty Meetings and 3rd Annual Commencement, 1853‑1854
Overview
A single‑page, hand‑written record of the 3rd Annual Commencement of a 19th‑century medical college, dated February 25 1854. The document is preserved as a scanned image (JPEG/TIFF) and is catalogued as a text source. It is written in English and covers the academic year 1853‑1854, including the regular lecture schedule, the faculty constitution, and the details of the commencement ceremony held in Philadelphia’s Musical Fund Hall.Background
The material originates from the archives of the historical “Final Drexel University,” a precursor to the modern Drexel University. The college, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, conducted its third annual graduation ceremony in 1854. The document reflects the institutional practices of a mid‑19th‑century medical school, including faculty governance, student theses, and ceremonial customs. The ceremony was presided over by President Prof. Charles D. Cleveland, with religious services performed by Rev. Dickinson and Rev. Barzilie, and music supplied by Breiter’s Band.Contents
* Regular Lectures – The text notes that the lecture series began on October 3, 1853 and concluded on February 24, 1854. * Faculty Constitution – Lists the faculty members for the 1853‑1854 academic year: * David J. Johnson, M.D. – Chemistry & Toxicology * Ellwood Harvey, M.D. – Principles & Practice of Medicine (later elected Chair of Surgery) * Ann Preston, M.D. – Physiology & Medical Institutes * Edwin Russell, M.D. – Anatomy * Mark G. Kerr, M.D. – Materia Medica & General Therapeutics * Martha H. Mowry, M.D. – Obstetrics & Diseases of Women & Children * Commencement Details – The ceremony was held at 11 a.m. on February 25, 1854. The document lists four graduates, their residences, and thesis titles: * Elizabeth H. Bates (Morris, Otsego Co., N.Y.) – “Best Means of Preserving Health” * Lucinda R. Brown (Galveston, Texas) – “Digestion” * Minna Elliger (Allentown, Lehigh Co., Pa.) – “History of Chemistry” * Elizabeth G. Shattuck (Philadelphia, Pa.) – “Iodine” * Ceremonial Notes – The opening prayer by Rev. Dickinson, closing benediction by Rev. Barzilie, and musical accompaniment by Breiter’s Band are recorded.Scope
The item documents the faculty composition, lecture schedule, and the 3rd Annual Commencement for the 1853‑1854 academic year of a Philadelphia medical college. It covers dates from October 1853 to February 1854, includes biographical details of faculty and graduates, and provides a snapshot of 19th‑century medical education practices. The record does not contain broader institutional histories, student rosters beyond the four graduates, or detailed curricular content beyond the listed theses.Entities
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Raw Cheimarros Data
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@elizabeth_h_bates:person {full_name: "Elizabeth H. Bates", residence: "Morris, Otsego Co., N.Y."}
@lucinda_r_brown:person {full_name: "Lucinda R. Brown", residence: "Galveston, Texas"}
@minna_elliger:person {full_name: "Minna Elliger", residence: "Allentown, Lehigh Co., Pa."}
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@david_johnson:person {full_name: "David J. Johnson", title: "Prof. of Chemistry and Toxicology"}
@ellwood_harvey:person {full_name: "Ellwood Harvey", title: "Prof. of Principles and Practice of Medicine; elected Chair of Surgery"}
@ann_preston:person {full_name: "Ann Preston", title: "Prof. of Physiology & Medical Institutes"}
@edwin_russell:person {full_name: "Edwin Russell", title: "Prof. of Anatomy"}
@mark_g_kerr:person {full_name: "Mark G. Kerr", title: "Prof. of Materia Medica & General Therapeutics"}
@martha_h_mowry:person {full_name: "Martha H. Mowry", title: "Prof. of Obstetrics & Diseases of Women and Children"}
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Files (2)
a092_001_062.jpgJPEG
OCR Text
on Saturday Oct. 1st 1853. The regular lectures commenced on Monday Oct. 3rd 1853 and closed on Friday Feb. 24th 1854. The 3rd Annual Commencement was held in the Musical Fund Hall on Saturday Feb. 25th 1854 at 11 O'Clock A.M. The exercises were opened with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Dickinson, and the degrees were conferred by the President of the College, Prof. Charles D. Cleveland. The following are the names of the graduates, with their residences, and the subjects of their theses:- Miss Elizabeth H. Bates; Morris, Otsego Co., N.Y.; "Best Means of preserving Health." Mrs. Lucinda R. Brown; Galveston, Texas; "Digestion." Miss Minna Elliger; Allentown, Lehigh Co., Pa.; "History of Chemistry." Miss Elizabeth G. Shattuck; Philad., Pa.; "Iodine." The closing benediction was pronounced by the Rev. Mr. Barzilie. The exercises were enlivened by music from Breiter's Band. The Faculty was constituted as follows:- David J. Johnson M.D., Prof. of Chemistry and Toxicology. Ellwood Harvey M.D., Prof. of Principles and Practice of Medicine. Ann Preston M.D., Prof. of Physiology & Medical Institutes. Edwin Russell M.D., Prof. of Anatomy. Mark G. Kerr M.D., Prof. of Mat. Med. & Gen. Therap. Martha H. Mowry M.D., Prof. of Obstetrics & Diseases of Women and Children. Ellwood Harvey M.D., Prof. of Surgery. Dr. Harvey was elected to the Chair of Surgery for the session
Version History (4 versions)
- ✓ v4 (current) · 11/14/2025, 4:14:48 PM
"Added description" - v3 · 11/14/2025, 4:05:10 PM · View this version
"Added knowledge graph extraction" - v2 · 11/14/2025, 3:58:40 PM · View this version
"Added PINAX metadata" - v1 · 11/14/2025, 3:56:43 PM · View this version
"Reorganization group: Faculty_Meetings_1853-1854"
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