Emil Corwin Papers

Collection

Identifier: MS C 649

Abstract

Collection documents Emil Corwin’s (1903-2011) advocacy against smoking as he worked at the American Cancer Society, the National Clearing House for Smoking and Health, and the Food and Drug Administration. The bulk of materials consist of correspondence from Corwin to individuals and organizations who were involved in anti-smoking campaigns from 1957-1996, and the collection also includes some printed material, organizational memos, interviews, and ephemera from 1938-1996.

Dates

Creation: 1938-1996

Extent

0.42 Linear Feet (1 box)

Creator

Corwin, Emil, 1903-2011 (Person)

Physical Location

Materials stored onsite.

Access Restrictions

No restrictions on access.

Copyright and Re-use Information

Donor's copyrights were transferred to the public domain. Archival materials often contain mixed copyright ownership. While the 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

Emil Corwin (1903-2011) was born in East Boston, Massachusetts and graduated from the Massachusetts Agricultural College (now the University of Massachusetts) with a Bachelor of Science. He started his career as a staff reporter at the Springfield Republican, an independent daily in Springfield, Massachusetts and then transitioned to the American Cancer Society (ACS), where he was promoted to Director of Press Relations. There, he advocated for anti-smoking campaigns after the ACS found a direct correlation between cigarette smoking and lung cancer. As a continuation of his advocacy against tobacco and smoking, Corwin joined the National Clearing House for Smoking and Health of the Department of Health Education and Welfare where he worked as an information officer. Corwin also worked at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and helped raise awareness about Surgeon General Dr. Luther Terry’s first report on the health risks of cigarettes. When he retired from the FDA in 1999 at the age of 96, Corwin was the federal government's oldest employee, and he was honored by President Clinton at the White House.

Scope and content

The bulk of this small collection consists of correspondence from Corwin to individuals and organizations who were involved in anti-smoking campaigns from 1957-1996. Series 1: Correspondence contains such materials, and notably includes correspondence with journalist George Seldes, who wrote the political newsletter In Fact. A sizeable amount of correspondence is in relation to Health Services and Mental Health Administration reports “Smoking - A World Problem” and “Roses, Music, Misocapnists, and Smoking.” The smaller portion of the collection, Series 2: Additional Papers, includes printed material, organizational memos, interviews, and ephemera from 1938-1996 that document Corwin’s anti-smoking advocacy and professional career in communications.

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Physical Location

Materials stored onsite.

Provenance

Transfer, Office of NIH History and Museum, 7/24/2015, Accession #2015-035.

Appendix: Individuals in Series 1: Correspondence

Ahearn, John J.; Allen, William A.; Anderson, A Fitz Roy; Ashenburg, Norman J., M.D.; Babow, Irving; Berry, Jim; Bishop, Howard B., H.E.; Blum, Isabelle, M.D.; Braden, Warren H.; Briney, Kenneth L., Ph.D.; Brittain, Robert; Brody, Jane; Cahn, Julius; Dembovitz, Alyson J.; Diehl, Antoni M., M.D.; Diehl, Harold S., M.D.; Dunham, Donald J.; Ferrigan, Madelyn; Fewsmith, Phillips; Finbery, Al; Gamble, Jacquelyn; Gilpin, John H.; Goe, Mary White, M.P.H.; Gould, Esther; Handorf, Evelyn L.; Harcus, Leslie F.; Holhut, Randolph T.; James, Walter G.; Kernerman, Ari; Klass, Morris D., D.S.W.; Kossack, M. E.; Krents, Irma Kopp; Krents, Milton; Kuscher, Otto; Landers, Ann; Langley, Ken; Lewandorf, Mrs. S. C. (Edith Weber); Lifson, Sol S.; Lipsey, Mike; Loken, Mrs. Ronald; McGrady, Patrick M.; Moersch, Herman J., M.D.; Monahan, James; Moore, George E., M.D.; Nacke, Dr. O.; Naismith, Grace; Nelson, Harry; Ober, Harry; Parker, William Anthony; Paul, Gloria; Pugh, Richard G.; Read, Clifton R.; Rimer, Irving I.; Schmidt, Roger; Schmidt, William M.; Seifert, Leslie; Seldes, George; Spencer, F. J., M.B., M.P.H.; Steed, Ernest H. J.; Swann, John; Terry, Luther L., M.D.; Waingrow, Selwyn M.; Weider, Dudley J., M.D.