Sarah E. Stewart Papers

Collection

Identifier: MS C 360

Abstract

NIH microbiologist and bacteriologist, Stewart was known for her discovery that certain virus strains can jump species and produce cancers in other hosts. Collection consists of biographical data, correspondence, clippings, reprints, oral history memoir, and laboratory notes.

Dates

Creation: 1926-1974

Extent

2.94 Linear Feet (7 boxes)

Creator

Stewart, Sarah E. (Sarah Elizabeth), 1906-1977 (Person)

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.

Privacy Information

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Biographical Note

Sarah Stewart (1906-1977) was born in Jalisco, Mexico. She received her M.S. from the University of Massachusetts (1930), her Ph.D. from the University of Chicago (1939), and her M.D. from Georgetown University (1949) and was its first female medical school graduate.

Primarily a microbiologist and bacteriologist, she first came to NIH in 1935. After a medical internship at the PHS Hospital in Staten Island, she returned to the National Cancer Institute in 1951, becoming Medical Director and Head of the Leukemia Studies Section. She became internationally known for her unique discovery that certain virus strains can jump species and produce cancers in other hosts. She also worked with Bernice Eddy to isolate and propagate the polyoma virus.

She left NIH in 1970 to become Professor of Pathology at Georgetown University.