Rolla E. Dyer Papers

Collection

Identifier: MS C 275

Abstract

Correspondence, reports, and other documentation of Dr. Dyer's activities during the decade after his retirement from the Public Health Service.

Dates

Creation: 1929-1971

Extent

1.05 Linear Feet (3 boxes)

Creator

Dyer, Rolla E. (Rolla Eugene), 1886-1971 (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

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

Born in Delaware County, Ohio, Rolla Eugene Dyer earned his MD at the University of Texas in 1916. He immediately joined the Public Health Service. His field of interest was infectious diseases and he spent his first five years with the PHS working on bubonic plague in New Orleans. In 1921 he joined the Hygienic Laboratory's staff. In 1936 he became chief of the Laboratory's Division of Infectious Diseases. In 1942 he was appointed Director of the National Institute of Health, a position he retained until 1948. During his tenure, he helped found the National Heart Institute, the National Institute of Dental Research, and the National Institute of Mental Health. Dr. Dyer retired from the Public Health Service in 1950. He maintained an active role in many health organizations after his retirement and died in 1971.

Collection Summary

Contains biographical information, correspondence, reports, printed matter, and photos relating to Dr. Dyer's association with organizations and conferences, and his public health interests, primarily from the time he retired as Director of the National Institutes of Health, in 1950, to his resignation from the Emory Medical School faculty, in 1957.