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Emile Holman Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS C 342

Abstract

Dr. Emile Holman was professor of surgery at the Stanford University School of Medicine, 1926-1955. In his later years Holman became actively involved in political and social issues, particularly the anti-war movement. Dr. Holman was interested in the history of surgery and included in the collection is material on William S. Halsted. The collection contains correspondence, diaries, reprints, printed matter, diplomas and certificates.

Dates

  • 1909-1976

Extent

6.3 Linear Feet (15 MS boxes, 4 v., and case items)

Creator

Physical Location

Materials stored onsite. History of Medicine Division. National Library of Medicine

Language of Materials

Collection materials primarily in English

Restrictions

Collection is not restricted. Contact the Reference Staff for information regarding access.

Copyright and Re-use Information

Donor's copyrights were transferred to the public domain. Archival collections often contain mixed copyrights; while NLM is the owner of the physical items, permission to examine collection materials is not an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. It is the user's responsibility to research and understand any applicable copyright and re-publication rights not allowed by fair use. NLM does not grant permissions to publish. See the Reference Staff for details regarding rights.

Privacy Information

Archives and manuscript collections may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in any collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications for which the National Library of Medicine assumes no responsibility.

Biographical Note

Emile Frederic Holman (1890-1977) was born in Moberly, MO. His father was a Methodist minister, and the family moved several times during his early years as his father changed assigments, within Missouri, then to Illinois, and finally to Pasadena, California. Holman graduated from Stanford University in 1911. After working for the University President between 1911-1914, he won a Rhodes Scholarship and studied in Oxford. There he studied with Sir William Osler, who convinced Holman to enroll at Johns Hopkins to continue his surgical education. He received his medical degree in 1918. He continued his surgical training at Hopkins, working with William Halsted. After five years as chief resident at Hopkins, Holman left for a year's residency at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston, to train with Harvey Cushing. He finally realized his goal of returning to California, moving to Stanford University Medical School in 1925. He became Head of the Department of Surgery in 1926, and remained at Stanford for the rest of his career, retiring in 1955.

Holman's professional career was marked by a balance between clinical work, experimental medicine, teaching, adminstration and writing. Although an excellent clinical surgeon, his main interest lay in elucidating basic pathophysiologic changes. He is best known for definitive studies on arteriovenous fistulae, but also published important studies on such various topics as skin grafting, lung abcesses, and biliary surgery. Holman authored over 200 articles during the course of his career. His approach to his work and career was greatly influenced by Osler, Halsted and Cushing. These medical giants instilled in Holman his great desire to teach and learn, which he passed to his medical students. Holman brought tremendous energy, wit, and wisdom to his classrooms, and was known as an inspiring and entertaining instructor by his legions of former students.

An ardent pacifist and anti-war spokesman, Holman challenged governments and leaders about social injustice, pollution, and foreign policy issues. Beginning with his Oxford years, his humanitarian activities started with serving on President Hoover's Committee for Relief in Belgium and with the American Field Ambulance in the French army. He volunteered for active duty in World War II at the age of 51, serving as a Navy surgeon in the South Pacific. His anti-war stance began with criticizing the American opposition to the League of Nations in 1919, and ended with letters to Presidents Johnson and Nixon over the tragedy of Vietnam.

Collection Summary

Correspondence, diaries, reprints, printed matter, diplomas and certificates. Holman was interested in the history of surgery and included in the collection is material on William S. Halsted.

Among the correspondents are Claude Beck, Alfred Blalock, Harvey Cushing, Elliott Cutler, Wilburt Davison, David Starr Jordan, Frederick Reichert, and Harris Schumaker.

Abstract

Dr. Emile Holman was professor of surgery at the Stanford University School of Medicine, 1926-1955. In his later years Holman became actively involved in political and social issues, particularly the anti-war movement. Dr. Holman was interested in the history of surgery and included in the collection is material on William S. Halsted. The collection contains correspondence, diaries, reprints, printed matter, diplomas and certificates.

Physical Location

Materials stored onsite. History of Medicine Division. National Library of Medicine

Provenance

Gift, in several accessions, 1976-1978.

General

Processed by
HMD Staff
Encoded by
Dan Jenkins
Title
Finding Aid to the Emile Holman Papers1909-1976
Status
Unverified Partial Draft
Author
HMD Staff
Date
2000
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English
Edition statement
Version 1.0

Collecting Area Details

Part of the Archives and Modern Manuscripts Collection Collecting Area

Contact:
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