Cornelius Rea Agnew Papers

Collection

Identifier: MS C 272

Abstract

Correspondence and biographical information about New York-based ophthalmologist Dr. Cornelius R. Agnew.

Dates

1857-1888

Extent

0.84 Linear Feet (2 boxes)

Creator

Agnew, Cornelius Rea, 1830-1888 (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

NLM does not possess copyright to the collection. 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

Cornelius Rea Agnew was born on 8 August 1830 in New York City. Francis R. Packard, in his History of Medicine in the United States, provides a brief overview of Agnew's life: "He graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York in 1852, having as his preceptor John Kearny Rodgers. Agnew went out to Michigan to practice but shortly afterwards returned to New York, having received, probably through the influence of Rodgers, the appointment of surgeon to the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary in which his preceptor had great authority. Before assuming the duties of the position Agnew went abroad for post-graduate study, which he carried out under Sir William Wilde in Dublin, William Bowman in London, and Sichel and Desmarres in Paris. Returning to New York he entered upon a most successful career."

"Agnew was a born organizer. He was one of the founders of the Brooklyn Eye and Ear Hospital, and of the Manhattan Eye and Ear Infirmary, also of the American Ophthalmological and the American Otological Societies. In 1866 he established the eye clinic in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York, and from 1869 until his death he was Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology and Otology in that institution." He died in New York in 1888.

Collection Summary

The Agnew papers in the National Library of Medicine are arranged alphabetically by name of correspondent; an index to the correspondents in the collection is attached. The correspondence is of a general medical and professional nature. While no particular group of correspondence is particularly extensive, there are several interesting groups of material. Special mention may be made of the correspondence with leaders in ophthalmology such as Henry Willard Williams, with John Shaw Billings on cholera research and the Index Medicus, with Grover Cleveland on the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the correspondence relating to the creation of a Code of Ethics for the State of New York Medical Society. Some foreign consultation correspondence is also found in the collection, as are several letters from Agnew sent to others.