Faculty Meetings Minutes, 1858
Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 11/14/2025, 4:15:20 PM
Added description
Description
Faculty Meetings Minutes, 1858
Overview
This archival item consists of scanned copies (JPEG and TIFF) of the official minutes of faculty meetings held by the faculty of the Philadelphia College of Medicine (later Drexel University) during the calendar year 1858. The documents are written in English, dated February 9, February 20, June 20, September 15, and December 27, 1858, and are presented in a single bound volume. The material is a primary source for the governance and academic activities of the institution in the mid‑19th century.Background
The minutes were produced by the faculty deans—G. Finselle, E. Furseil, E. Turrell, E. Furrell, and G. Furrell—and recorded at the Musical Fund Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The institution, then a medical college, was in the process of establishing its curriculum, faculty appointments, and degree‑conferral procedures. The meetings documented the college’s internal deliberations, reflecting the administrative practices of a professional school in the United States during this period.Contents
Each page contains a dated heading, a list of attendees, and a narrative of the proceedings. Key subjects include: * Thesis examinations – admission of four female candidates (Susan Parry, Henrietta Buckel, Hannah Jones, Rebecca Finselle) and the voting results that elected them. * Faculty appointments – election of Dr. Cleveland to deliver the General Introductory lecture, appointment of Dr. Birdsell as valedictory speaker, and the appointment of Dr. Gormings as lecturer on surgery. * Lecture scheduling – decisions on opening dates, lecture frequencies, and the postponement of the next session. * Administrative actions – admission of Mary M. Bailey for an MD examination, extension of application periods, and the creation of committees for essay preparation. The scanned images are accompanied by OCR text, providing a machine‑readable version of the minutes.Scope
The collection covers faculty deliberations in 1858, with contextual references to meetings in 1857 and 1852. It includes decisions on academic degrees, faculty appointments, and lecture logistics but does not contain student records, financial ledgers, or external correspondence. The material is valuable for scholars of medical education history, institutional governance, and the role of women in 19th‑century academia.Entities
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Raw Cheimarros Data
**File metadata**
@file_pinax:document {title: "Faculty Meetings Minutes, 1858", creator: ["G. Finselle","E. Furseil","E. Turrell","E. Furrell","G. Furrell"], institution: "final-drexel-university", created: @date_1858, language: "en", subjects: ["Medical education","Faculty meetings","Academic degrees","Lectures","Medical faculty"], description: "Minutes of faculty meetings from 1858, including discussions on thesis examinations, degree conferrals, lecture schedules, and faculty appointments.", place: ["Musical Fund Hall","Philadelphia, PA"]}
**Place**
@musical_fund_hall:place {city: @philadelphia, state: @pennsylvania, country: @united_states}
**People (faculty & staff)**
@preston:person {role: "faculty member"}
@cleveland:person {role: "faculty member"}
@bradell:person {role: "faculty member"}
@temple:person {role: "faculty member"}
@prof_harvey:person {full_name: "Prof. Harvey", role: "faculty member"}
@brown:person {role: "faculty member"}
@birdwell:person {role: "faculty member"}
@rodney:person {role: "faculty member"}
@sample:person {role: "faculty member"}
@e_h_cleveland:person {full_name: "Prof. E.H. Cleveland", role: "faculty member"}
@dr_rothing:person {full_name: "Frederick Louis Otto Rothing", role: "Professor of Materia Medica & Therapeutics"}
@dr_neer:person {full_name: "Dr. Neer", role: "former Chair of Materia Medica & Therapeutics"}
@mr_semple:person {full_name: "Matthew Semple", role: "Professor of Chemistry & Toxicology"}
@dr_harvey:person {full_name: "Dr. Harvey", role: "former Chair of Chemistry & Toxicology"}
@g_finselle:person {full_name: "G. Finselle", role: "Dean"}
@e_furseil:person {full_name: "E. Furseil", role: "Dean"}
@e_turrell:person {full_name: "E. Turrell", role: "Dean"}
@e_furrell:person {full_name: "E. Furrell", role: "Dean"}
@g_furrell:person {full_name: "G. Furrell", role: "Dean"}
@birdsell:person {full_name: "Dr. Birdsell", role: "faculty member"}
@gorminge:person {full_name: "Dr. Wm Gorminge", role: "faculty member"}
@gormings:person {full_name: "Dr. Gormings", role: "faculty member"}
**Students (thesis authors)**
@susan_parry:person {full_name: "Susan Parry", gender: "female"}
@henrietta_buckel:person {full_name: "C. Henrietta Buckel", gender: "female"}
@hannah_jones:person {full_name: "Mrs. Hannah W. Jones", gender: "female"}
@rebecca_finselle:person {full_name: "Mrs. Rebecca Finselle", gender: "female"}
@mary_bailey:person {full_name: "Mary M. Bailey", gender: "female"}
**Theses (documents)**
@thesis_susan_parry:document {title: "Thesis on Hygiene", author: @susan_parry}
@thesis_henrietta_buckel:document {title: "Thesis on Insanity", author: @henrietta_buckel}
@thesis_hannah_jones:document {title: "Thesis on Sleep", author: @hannah_jones}
@thesis_rebecca_finselle:document {title: "Honorary Member Thesis", author: @rebecca_finselle}
**Meetings (events) and their outcomes**
@meeting_feb_9_1858:event {when: @date_1858_02_09, where: @musical_fund_hall, description: "Faculty meeting receiving inaugural theses and making referrals"}
@meeting_feb_9_1858 -> present -> [@preston, @cleveland, @bradell, @g_finselle]
@meeting_feb_9_1858 -> received thesis -> [@thesis_susan_parry, @thesis_henrietta_buckel, @thesis_hannah_jones, @thesis_rebecca_finselle]
@thesis_susan_parry -> referred to -> @preston
@thesis_henrietta_buckel -> referred to -> @bradell
@thesis_hannah_jones -> referred to -> @g_finselle
@thesis_rebecca_finselle -> referred to -> @cleveland
@meeting_feb_20_1858:event {when: @date_1858_02_20, where: @musical_fund_hall, description: "Faculty vote on thesis candidates"}
@meeting_feb_20_1858 -> present -> [@preston, @cleveland, @bradell, @temple, @prof_harvey, @brown]
@meeting_feb_20_1858 -> elected -> @rebecca_finselle {white_votes: 69, black_votes: 1}
@meeting_feb_20_1858 -> elected -> @hannah_jones {white_votes: 66, black_votes: 4}
@meeting_feb_20_1858 -> elected -> @henrietta_buckel {white_votes: 60, black_votes: 10}
@meeting_feb_20_1858 -> elected -> @susan_parry {white_votes: 54, black_votes: 16}
@meeting_june_20_1858:event {when: @date_1858_06_20, where: @musical_fund_hall, description: "Faculty appoints General Introductory lecturer"}
@meeting_june_20_1858 -> present -> [@preston, @cleveland, @bradell, @temple, @prof_harvey, @brown, @g_finselle, @e_furseil, @e_turrell, @e_furrell, @g_furrell]
@meeting_june_20_1858 -> appointed -> @cleveland {role: "deliver General Introductory lecture"}
@meeting_sep_15_1858:event {when: @date_1858_09_15, where: @musical_fund_hall, description: "Faculty postpones opening of the next session"}
@meeting_sep_15_1858 -> present -> [@preston, @cleveland, @bradell, @temple, @prof_harvey, @brown, @g_finselle, @e_furseil, @e_turrell, @e_furrell, @g_furrell]
@meeting_sep_15_1858 -> postponed opening to -> @date_1858_10_16
@meeting_oct_2_1857:event {when: @date_1857_10_02, where: @musical_fund_hall, description: "Faculty recommends appointments to vacant chairs"}
@meeting_oct_2_1857 -> present -> [@e_turrell]
@meeting_oct_2_1857 -> recommended -> @dr_rothing {position: "Chair of Materia Medica & Therapeutics"}
@meeting_oct_2_1857 -> recommended -> @mr_semple {position: "Chair of Chemistry & Toxicology"}
@meeting_oct_16_1857:event {when: @date_1857_10_16, where: @musical_fund_hall, description: "Faculty confirms appointments and lecture schedule"}
@meeting_oct_16_1857 -> present -> [@e_turrell]
@meeting_oct_16_57 -> elected -> @dr_rothing {title: "Professor of Materia Medica & Therapeutics"}
@meeting_oct_16_57 -> elected -> @mr_semple {title: "Professor of Chemistry & Toxicology"}
@meeting_oct_16_57 -> committee report -> @committee_beneficence {admission_of_students: 0}
@committee_beneficence:organization {role: "Committee on Beneficence"}
@meeting_oct_13_1852:event {when: @date_1852_10_13, where: @musical_fund_hall, description: "Faculty appoints clinic physician and revises lecture frequencies"}
@meeting_oct_13_1852 -> present -> [@preston, @birdwell, @cleveland, @rodney, @temple, @g_furrell]
@meeting_oct_13_1852 -> appointed -> @cleveland {role: "clinic physician"}
@meeting_oct_13_1852 -> changed lecture schedule -> {obstetrics_and_women_children: "4 per week", chemistry_toxicology: "3 per week"}
@meeting_oct_15_1852:event {when: @date_1852_10_15, where: @musical_fund_hall, description: "Faculty recommends Dr. Wm Gorminge as lecturer on surgery"}
@meeting_oct_15_1852 -> present -> [@g_furrell]
@meeting_oct_15_1852 -> recommended -> @gorminge {role: "lecturer on surgery"}
@meeting_dec_27_1858:event {when: @date_1858_12_27, where: @musical_fund_hall, description: "Faculty appoints valedictory address and essay committee"}
@meeting_dec_27_1858 -> present -> [@preston, @cleveland, @sample, @g_furrell]
@meeting_dec_27_1858 -> appointed -> @birdsell {role: "deliver valedictory address"}
@meeting_dec_27_1858 -> committee -> [@g_furrell, @preston, @cleveland] {task: "prepare essay for annual announcement"}
@meeting_dec_27_1858 -> notice appointment -> @gormings {role: "lecturer on surgery"}
@meeting_feb_3_1859:event {when: @date_1859_02_03, where: @musical_fund_hall, description: "Faculty closes session, admits Mary M. Bailey, and extends application period"}
@meeting_feb_3_1859 -> present -> [@preston, @birdsell, @cleveland, @sample, @g_furrell]
@meeting_feb_3_1859 -> resolved session close on -> @date_1859_03_15
@meeting_feb_3_1859 -> admitted -> @mary_bailey {purpose: "examination for M.D."}
@meeting_feb_3_1859 -> extended application deadline by -> {days: 10}
@meeting_feb_3_1859 -> approved address -> @birdsell
**File → Meeting links**
@file_a092_001_114_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_feb_9_1858
@file_a092_001_114_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_feb_20_1858
@file_a092_001_115_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_june_20_1858
@file_a092_001_115_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_sep_15_1858
@file_a092_001_116_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_oct_2_1857
@file_a092_001_116_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_oct_16_1857
@file_a092_001_117_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_oct_13_1852
@file_a092_001_117_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_oct_15_1852
@file_a092_001_118_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_dec_27_1858
@file_a092_001_118_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_feb_3_1859 Metadata
Files (10)
OCR Text
Feb 9th, 1858 Present: Preston, Cleveland, Bradell & Finselle. Essay of Inaugural Thesis were received from the following ladies & referred for examination: Miss Susan Parry on Hygiene, referred to Preston C. Henrietta Buckel on Insanity referred to Bradell Mrs. Hannah W. Jones on Sleep referred to Finselle Mrs. Rebecca Finselle as an Honorary member referred to Cleveland Adjourned. G. Finselle Dean Plus Feb 20th, 1858 Present: Preston, Cleveland, Bradell, Temple, & Prof. Harvey adjoint; & Brown to be on by proxy according to request of the faculty. The thesis were all reported before favorably and the faculty proceeded to ballot for the several candidates with the following result: Mrs. Rebecca Finselle received 69 White to 1 Black vote Mrs. Hannah W. Jones " 66 " " 4 " C. Henrietta Buckel " 60 " " 10 " Susan Parry " 54 " " 16 " They were all therefore, according to our rule declared to be duly elected to the
OCR Text
honor of being worthy of the degree of M.D., & this Dean was accordingly directed that the President & Corporators be requested to confer the degree upon them at a public commencement to be held at the Musical Fund Hall on Saturday, Feb. 27th. Adjourned E. Furseil Dean June 20th, 1858 Present, by general understanding or proxy all the members of the faculty. Mr. Cleveland Dean by acclamation appointed to deliver the General Introductory lecture at the opening of the next session. E. Furseil Dean Sept. 15th, 1858 Present, in person or by proxy all the faculty. It was agreed to postpone the opening of the session until Saturday the 16th of October, and to proceed with the lectures in regular order on the following Monday omitting formal introductions. E. Furseil Dean
OCR Text
By consultation with and the consent of the Faculty, but without a formal meeting, Dr. F. S. C. Rothing was recommended to the corporation as a suitable person to fill the Chair of Materia Medica & Therapeutics made vacant by the resignation of Dr. Neer, and Mr. Semple was likewise recommended for election to the Professorship of Chemistry & Toxicology vacated by the resignation of Dr. Harvey. E. Turrell Dean Oct. 2nd, 1857 The General Introductory lecture for the opening of the session was read by Prof. Cleveland and unanimously approved of. Four o'clock was agreed upon as the time for the lecture. Communications were received from the Secretary informing the Faculty that Frederick Louis Otto Rothing, M.D., had been elected Professor of Materia Medica and Therapeutics, and that Matthew Semple, Esq., had been elected Professor of Chemistry & Toxicology in this institution. The committee on beneficence reported the admission of no students. Adjourned E. Turrell Dean Oct. 16th, 1857. The General Introductory Lecture was delivered by Prof. E.H. Cleveland to a crowded audience of ladies & gentlemen, to the great satisfaction of all. It was given in the upper lecture-room.
OCR Text
October 13th, 1852 Present: Preston, Birdwell, Cleveland, Rodney, Temple & Furrell On motion Prof. E.H. Cleveland was appointed clinic physician until further ordered. By unanimous consent the chair of obstetrics and diseases of women & children was assigned four lectures a week instead of three as at last session and the chair of chemistry & toxicology three lectures a week instead of four as hitherto. A card of the order of lectures for the ensuing session was agreed to. On motion it was agreed that permits to teachers & pupils of schools should be given at five dollars each to any course of lectures or ten dollars to any other; but that in no case should the regular tickets be disposed of at a lower rate than ten dollars each, merely by express arrangement of the faculty. Adjourned E. Furrell, Dean Oct 15th, 1852 On motion Dr. Wm Gorminge was recommended to the corporation for appointment as lecturer on surgery for the ensuing session. Adjourned E. Furrell
OCR Text
Dec. 27th, 1858 Present: Preston, Cleveland, Sample & Furrell On motion, Dr. Birdsell was appointed to deliver the next valedictory address to the graduating class. Dr. Furrell, Preston & Cleveland were appointed a committee to prepare an essay for the next annual announcement. P.S. Notice was given of the appointment of Dr. Gormings as lecturer on surgery for the present session. G. Furrell Thursday Feb. 3rd, 1859 Present: Preston, Birdsell, Cleveland, Sample & Furrell On motion it was agreed that the present session come to a close on Saturday the fifteenth of March. On motion it was resolved that Mary M. Bailey be admitted to an examination for the degree of M.D., on the ground of many years' study & practice. On motion the usual time for application from candidates for graduation was extended ten days for the present session. Prof. Birdsell's address was read & approved of. Adjourned G. Furrell, Pres.
Version History (4 versions)
- ✓ v4 (current) · 11/14/2025, 4:15:20 PM
"Added description" - v3 · 11/14/2025, 4:07:39 PM · View this version
"Added knowledge graph extraction" - v2 · 11/14/2025, 3:59:14 PM · View this version
"Added PINAX metadata" - v1 · 11/14/2025, 3:56:47 PM · View this version
"Reorganization group: Faculty_Meetings_1858"
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