a092_001_063.jpg

Faculty Meeting Minutes, 1854

Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 11/14/2025, 4:14:40 PM

Added description

Description

Faculty Meeting Minutes, 1854

Overview

A set of handwritten and typed minutes documenting four faculty meetings (Nos. 31–34) held in 1854 at a United States medical college (identified as the “College” in the source). The minutes were compiled by Dean David J. Johnson M.D. and preserved in the final‑Drexel‑University collection. The material is presented as a series of high‑resolution images (JPEG and TIFF) and a text record in English, covering the period from April 6 to October 26, 1854.

Background

The meetings were convened by the faculty of the college to discuss academic administration, course planning, and personnel appointments. Dean Johnson, a practicing physician, served as the primary recorder. The college’s governing body, the Corporators, was consulted for major appointments, notably the election of Dr. Ellwood Harvey as Professor of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children. The minutes reflect the institutional practices of mid‑19th‑century medical education, including the use of demonstrators for anatomy and chemistry and the establishment of standing committees for the museum, dispensary, and other functions.

Contents

The minutes detail:
  • Extension of the lecture course to March 12, 1855, and the schedule of recapitulative lectures on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings.
  • Appointment of Dr. Fussell to deliver the General Introductory lecture and Dr. Kerr the Valedictory address.
  • Resignation of Dr. Martha A. Morry from the obstetrics chair and the subsequent election of Dr. Harvey to that post.
  • Formation of six standing committees (museum, dispensary, beneficiary applications, apparatus & preparations, advertising, and a committee on the clinic).
  • Appointment of two apothecaries and two clinic clerks from among students or graduates.
  • Discussion of scholarship sales propriety.

Scope

The collection covers faculty deliberations exclusively for the year 1854, limited to the college’s internal governance. It includes meetings held on April 6, September 6, September 20, and October 26, 1854, and excludes any subsequent sessions. The material is relevant to scholars of medical education history, institutional governance, and 19th‑century American higher‑education practices.

Entities

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Entity Relationships

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Raw Cheimarros Data

@file_pinax -> documents -> @faculty_meeting_minutes_1854:document {creator: @david_j_johnson, year: @date_1854, subjects: ["Faculty meetings","Medical education","Academic appointments","College administration"]}

@faculty_meeting_minutes_1854 -> contains -> @meeting_31:event {when: @date_1854_04_06, where: @college}
@faculty_meeting_minutes_1854 -> contains -> @meeting_32:event {when: @date_1854_09_06, where: @college}
@faculty_meeting_minutes_1854 -> contains -> @meeting_33:event {when: @date_1854_09_20, where: @college}
@faculty_meeting_minutes_1854 -> contains -> @meeting_34:event {when: @date_1854_10_26, where: @college}

@college:place {name: "College", location: @united_states}

#--- Persons -----------------------------------------------------------------

@david_j_johnson:person {full_name: "David J. Johnson, M.D.", role: "Dean"}
@dr_fussell:person {full_name: "Dr. Fussell"}
@dr_kerr:person {full_name: "Dr. Kerr"}
@dr_harvey:person {full_name: "Dr. Ellwood Harvey", degree: "M.D."}
@dr_ellwood_harvey:person {full_name: "Dr. Ellwood Harvey", degree: "M.D."}
@dr_johnson:person {full_name: "Dr. Johnson", degree: "M.D."}
@dr_preston:person {full_name: "Dr. Preston"}
@dr_russell:person {full_name: "Dr. Russell"}
@dr_thomas:person {full_name: "Dr. Thomas"}
@dr_fowler:person {full_name: "Almira L. Fowler", degree: "M.D."}
@dr_almina_fowler:person {full_name: "Almina L. Fowler", degree: "M.D."}
@dr_morry:person {full_name: "Martha A. Morry", degree: "M.D."}
@wm_v_peirce:person {full_name: "Wm. V. Peirce"}

#--- Positions / Concepts -----------------------------------------------------

@demonstratorship_anatomy_chemistry:concept {title: "Demonstrator of Anatomy and Chemistry"}
@obstetrics_chair:concept {title: "Professor of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children"}
@professor_obstetrics_1854_5:concept {title: "Professor of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women & Children", session: "1854-5"}
@lecture_course_extension:concept {duration_months: 5.5, end_date: @date_1855_03_12}
@demonstrator_recitation_schedule:concept {frequency: ["Monday","Wednesday","Friday"], subjects: ["Anatomy","Chemistry"]}
@general_introductory_lecture:concept {delivered_by: @dr_fussell}
@valedictory_address:concept {delivered_by: @dr_kerr}
@fifth_annual_announcement:document {type: "Announcement", copies_ordered: 10000}
@scholarship_selling_propriety:concept {topic: "Sale of scholarships"}

#--- Committees --------------------------------------------------------------

@museum_committee:concept {name: "Museum Committee"}
@dispensary_committee:concept {name: "Dispensary Committee"}
@beneficiary_committee:concept {name: "Beneficiary Applications Committee"}
@apparatus_committee:concept {name: "Additional Apparatus & Preparations Committee"}
@advertising_committee:concept {name: "Advertising Committee"}

#--- Meetings -----------------------------------------------------------------

# Meeting No. 31 – Thursday April 6th 1854
@meeting_31:event -> resolved -> @lecture_course_extension:concept {start: @date_1854_04_06}
@meeting_31:event -> resolved -> @demonstrator_recitation_schedule:concept {}
@meeting_31:event -> resolved -> @general_introductory_lecture:concept {}
@meeting_31:event -> resolved -> @valedictory_address:concept {}
@meeting_31:event -> resolved -> @fifth_annual_announcement:document {}
@meeting_31:event -> noted -> @demonstratorship_anatomy_chemistry:concept {filled_by: @dr_fowler}
@meeting_31:event -> present -> [@dr_fussell, @dr_harvey, @dr_johnson, @dr_kerr]

# Meeting No. 32 – Wednesday Sept. 6th 1854
@meeting_32:event -> noted -> @dr_morry -> resigned_from -> @obstetrics_chair:concept {letter_date: @date_1854_04_26}
@meeting_32:event -> noted -> resignation_accepted_by -> @corporators:organization
@meeting_32:event -> present -> [@dr_fussell, @dr_harvey, @dr_johnson, @dr_kerr]

# Meeting No. 33 – Wednesday Sept. 20th 1854
@meeting_33:event -> recorded -> @letter_from_corporators:document {date: @date_1854_09_19, content: "On motion of Wm. V. Peirce, and on the recommendation of the Faculty, Dr. Ellwood Harvey was unanimously elected 'Professor of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children' for the session 1854-5."}
@meeting_33:event -> elected -> @professor_obstetrics_1854_5:concept {elected_by: @wm_v_peirce, recommended_by: @faculty}
@meeting_33:event -> appointed_committees -> {
    committees: [
        @museum_committee,
        @dispensary_committee,
        @beneficiary_committee,
        @apparatus_committee,
        @advertising_committee
    ]
}
@museum_committee -> members -> [@dr_fussell, @dr_thomas, @dr_preston]
@dispensary_committee -> members -> [@dr_thomas, @dr_harvey, @dr_kerr]
@beneficiary_committee -> members -> [@dr_harvey, @dr_johnson, @dr_fussell]
@apparatus_committee -> members -> [@dr_fussell, @dr_thomas, @dr_johnson]
@advertising_committee -> members -> [@dr_johnson, @dr_harvey, @dr_thomas]
@meeting_33:event -> resolved -> @clinic_departments_assignment:concept {
    Medical: @dr_fussell,
    Obstetrical: @dr_harvey,
    Surgical: @dr_kerr
}
@meeting_33:event -> resolved -> @dispensary_apothecary_appointments:concept {appointed_by: @dispensary_committee, positions: 2, candidates: "students or graduates"}
@meeting_33:event -> resolved -> @clinic_clerks_appointments:concept {appointed_by: @clinical_lecturers, positions: {"principal":2, "assistant":2}, candidates: "students or graduates"}
@meeting_33:event -> resolved -> @special_introductory_lecture_order:concept {order: "fixed"}

# Meeting No. 34 – Thursday Oct. 26th 1854
@meeting_34:event -> discussed -> @scholarship_selling_propriety:concept {}
@meeting_34:event -> present -> [@dr_russell, @dr_harvey, @dr_johnson, @dr_kerr, @dr_preston, @dr_thomas]

#--- Additional Events --------------------------------------------------------

@letter_from_almina_fowler:document {date: @date_1854_07_19, author: @dr_almina_fowler, content: "Engagements in New York prevent discharge of duties as Demonstrator of Anatomy and Chemistry."}
@meeting_65_schedule:event {when: @date_1854_10_02, where: @college, agenda: [
    {time: "4 P.M.", speaker: @dr_preston},
    {time: "5 P.M.", speaker: @dr_harvey}
]}
@meeting_65_schedule:event {when: @date_1854_10_03, where: @college, agenda: [
    {time: "4 P.M.", speaker: @dr_johnson},
    {time: "5 P.M.", speaker: @dr_russell}
]}
@meeting_65_schedule:event {when: @date_1854_10_04, where: @college, agenda: [
    {time: "4 P.M.", speaker: @dr_kerr},
    {time: "5 P.M.", speaker: @dr_thomas}
]}

@meeting_65:event -> noted -> @letter_from_almina_fowler:document {}
@meeting_65:event -> resolved -> @demonstrator_arrangement_1854_5:concept {
    chemistry_demonstrator: @dr_johnson,
    anatomy_recitation: @dr_russell,
    dissecting_room: @dr_thomas,
    fee_division: [@dr_johnson, @dr_russell, @dr_thomas]
}
@meeting_65:event -> present -> [@dr_russell, @dr_harvey, @dr_johnson, @dr_kerr, @dr_thomas]

#--- Organizations -----------------------------------------------------------

@corporators:organization {role: "Governing body of the College"}
@faculty:organization {members: [@dr_fussell, @dr_harvey, @dr_johnson, @dr_kerr, @dr_preston, @dr_russell, @dr_thomas, @dr_ellwood_harvey, @dr_fowler, @dr_morry]}

#--- Files referencing OCR ----------------------------------------------------

@file_a092_001_063_jpg -> contains -> @meeting_31:event
@file_a092_001_064_jpg -> contains -> @meeting_33:event
@file_a092_001_065_jpg -> contains -> @meeting_65:event

#--- End of extracted knowledge -------------------------------------------------

Metadata

Files (6)

a092_001_063.jpgJPEG
387.56 KB
OCR Text

only, in place of Dr. Hilbern Darlington, resigned. The Demonstratorship of Anatomy and Chemistry was filled by Almira L. Fowler M.D. No. 31. Thursday April 6th 1854. Minutes of last meeting read and adopted. The Fifth Annual Announcement was read and agreed to, and 10,000 copies thereof were ordered to be printed. On motion, it was resolved that the ensuing course of lectures in this College extend through a period of five months and a half; and that the next course of lectures close on Saturday March 12th 1855. On motion, it was resolved that the Demonstrator be required to recapitulate the lectures of the Professors of Anatomy and Chemistry, alternately, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings. On motion, it was resolved that Dr. Fussell be requested to deliver the General Introductory to the next course of lectures, and Dr. Kerr the Valedictory Address at the next Annual Commencement. Then adjourned:—present Drs. Fussell, Harvey, Johnson and Kerr. David J. Johnston M.D., Dean. No. 32. Wednesday Sept. 6th 1854. Reading of the minutes of the last meeting postponed. The Dean stated that Martha A. Morry M.D. had, by letter bearing date April 26th 1854, resigned the Chair of "Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children"; and that the said resignation had been accepted by the Corporators.

a092_001_064.jpgJPEG
409.73 KB
OCR Text

On motion, it was unanimously resolved that it be recommended to the Corporators that Dr. Ellwood Harvey be elected "Professor of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women & Children" for the ensuing session. Then adjourned:—present Drs. Harvey, Fussell, Kerr & Johnson. David J. Johnson M.D., Dean. No. 33. Wednesday Sept. 20th 1854, Minutes of the last two meetings read and adopted. The Dean read the following extract from the minutes of a meeting of the Corporators, held Sept. 19th 1854—viz: "On motion of Wm. V. Peirce, and on the recommendation of the Faculty, Dr. Ellwood Harvey was unanimously elected 'Professor of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children' for the session 1854-5." On motion, the following standing committees were appointed, viz:— On the Museum—Drs. Fussell, Thomas and Preston. On the Dispensary—Drs. Thomas, Harvey and Kerr. On Beneficiary applications—Drs. Harvey, Johnson, and Fussell. On additional apparatus & preparations—Drs. Fussell, Thomas & Johnson. On Advertising—Drs. Johnson, Harvey and Thomas. On motion, it was resolved that the Medical, Obstetrical and Surgical departments of the Clinic be given in charge, respectively, to the Professors of those Branches. On motion, it was resolved that the Committee on the Dispensary appoint two of the students or graduates of this College as Apothecaries; and that the Clinical Lecturers appoint two principal and two assistant Clerks to the Clinic, to be selected also from the students or graduates of this College. On motion, the following order was fixed upon for the delivery of the special Introductory Lectures to the ensuing course, viz:—

a092_001_065.jpgJPEG
383.94 KB
OCR Text

Monday Oct. 2nd, at 4 P.M., Dr. Preston. , at 5 P.M., Dr. Harvey. Tuesday Oct. 3rd, at 4 P.M., Dr. Johnson. , at 5 P.M., Dr. Russell. Wednesday Oct. 4th, at 4 P.M., Dr. Kerr. , at 5 P.M., Dr. Thomas. A letter was read from Dr. Almina L. Fowler, bearing date July 19th 1854, in which the writer stated that her engagements in New York would render it impossible for her to discharge satisfactorily the duties of "Demonstrator of Anatomy and Chemistry" in this College. On motion, the following arrangement was unanimously agreed to for the session of 1854-5, viz:- "Dr. Johnson shall act as Demonstrator of Chemistry, Dr. Russell shall give the recapitulatory lectures on Anatomy, and Dr. Thomas shall attend to the Dissecting Room; and the Demonstrator's fee shall be divided equally between Drs. Johnson, Russell, & Thomas." The Dean was instructed to communicate this arrangement to Dr. Fowler and to the Corporators. Then adjourned: - present Drs. Russell, Harvey, Johnson, Kerr and Thomas. David J. Johnson M.D., Dean. No. 34. Thursday Oct. 26th 1854. Minutes of the last meeting read and adopted. The propriety of selling scholarships was discussed. Present - Drs. Russell, Harvey, Johnson, Kerr, Preston and Thomas. Then adjourned. David J. Johnson M.D., Dean.

Version History (4 versions)

  • ✓ v4 (current) · 11/14/2025, 4:14:40 PM
    "Added description"
  • v3 · 11/14/2025, 4:05:15 PM · View this version
    "Added knowledge graph extraction"
  • v2 · 11/14/2025, 3:58:36 PM · View this version
    "Added PINAX metadata"
  • v1 · 11/14/2025, 3:56:45 PM · View this version
    "Reorganization group: Faculty_Meetings_1854"

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